Couch Critic previews the Big Bash League play offs including Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder with best bets from @Olimp_SA
BIG BASH - FIRST ROUND OF THE FINALE
We have gotten to the knockouts yet despite eight being turned into five we still have quite a bit of BBL action ahead of us. The Hobart Hurricanes have had to pack their bags after Wednesday but in fairness the final home of the trophy should be fought out between the Melbourne Stars, Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers who as a trio were a distance better than the rest of the field. We have an Eliminator, a Knockout, a Challenger and ultimately a final to look forward to over the next ten days. But let’s focus our attentions on Friday’s golden ticket clash (the winner gets a spot in the final) as well as the Strikers’ knockout contest.
Must read ...............Couch Critic takes a look at the prospects for all the Super Rugby teams and nails up his best outright betswith @Olimp_SA
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers (Melbourne @ 10:15)
The knockout phase of the Big Bash might be a touch complex but for these two teams the equation is simple enough – win and you are playing in the big final. The loser gets a second bite of the cherry on 6 Feb.
Glen Maxwell’s Melbourne Stars were cruising along comfortably clear at the top of the table a fortnight ago yet now, despite still finishing the regular season in pole position the Stars have limped into the knockouts off the back of three straight losses. A loss might not technically mean the end of the road for the table toppers but surely a fourth loss will break the back of the Melbourne team’s resolve to go all the way in 2020.
The Sydney Sixers for their part have timed their run perfectly. The enter the Qualifier after three wins in a row. They have also well and truly got a spring in their step with the return of Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood. Tom Curran’s absence will be a bit of a concern for the visitors however.
Unfortunately for the Stars they will miss Lamichane but there will still be plenty of slow bowlers doing battle in Melbourne as the home side have Adam Zampa, Hinchliffe and Maxwell to face off against Lyon and O’Keefe. With the bat its Smith, James Vince and the in-form Philippe looking to tame the power of Stoinis, Maxwell and Handscomb.
Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder (Adelaide @ 10:40)
Travis Head, Alex Carey, Rashid Khan and Peter Siddle are the big game players for the Adelaide based outfit looking to get the Strikers to the “Knockout” which ultimately is a Semi-final. For the Sydney Thunder Alex Hales came good at exactly the right time to keep them alive for a few more days. With the ball Dan Sams continues to be the key for the Sydney based outfit.
For mind the Thunder have a strong top three but they just don’t quite have the quality balance that the Strikers have. At the price the Strikers are short to win the game but there is always the option of throwing them into a few multiples for the weekend.
BETOLIMP BEST BETS
Stars vs Sixers
Top Sixers Bowler – J Hazlewood @ 5.00
Top Stars Bowler – H Rauf @ 3.50
Top Sixers Bat – S Smith @ 3.50
Strikers vs Thunder
Highest Opening Partnership – Sydney Thunder @ 1.86
Double: Sixers win onto Strikers win @ 2.95
Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R3,000 here
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Enjoy the cricket and happy punting!
