3 minute read
Our cricket expert John M provides his full in-depth preview, analysis and expert Big Bash tips across each and every match of the 2023/24 BBL 13 T20 Cricket series, right here on the Betfair Hub!
BRISBANE HEAT V SYDNEY THUNDER
The Brisbane Heat will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record to start the tournament when they welcome the Sydney Thunder to the Gabba. The Heat's superb start to BBL13 rolled along last Thursday when they overcame the Melbourne Renegades by six wickets thanks to a brilliant all-round performance from Englishman Paul Walter who claimed figures of 3/27 off four overs before blasting an unbeaten 30 off just 15 deliveries to see Brisbane home with 11 balls to spare. On Saturday the Thunder got their campaign going with an assured five-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars with pacemen Daniel Sams (4/33 off four overs) and Zaman Khan (3/24 off four overs) impressing on the relatively small Lavington Sports Oval.
There is plenty of faith that the Queenslanders can keep their run going in what is typically a tempestuous affair. Whilst the Thunder would've gained plenty of confidence from their first win at Albury, it was only against the misfiring Stars and question marks remain over some members of their pace attack and their batting depth, whilst the Heat are starting to put together a strong record at the Gabba so I think the hosts can get it done.
Betting Strategy
BACK: (WIN) Brisbane Heat at $1.80+ for 1 unit 
MELBOURNE RENEGADES V ADELAIDE STRIKERS
Friday night at Marvel Stadium sees an intriguing match-up between the disappointing Melbourne Renegades and the top-heavy Adelaide Strikers. The Renegades have been the nearly-men of BBL13 with each of their three opening defeats coming by narrow margins as they have played themselves into match-winning positions, only to fail to close each game out with inconsistency in the middle-order an issue as Nic Maddinson struggles to retain his place in the starting XI. Last Friday the Strikers also went down in a tight one, losing by just one run against the Sydney Sixers with English import Jamie Overton producing a smart spell with the ball (3/23 off four overs) but was then unable to get his side home in the last over, finishing unbeaten on 31 off 28 balls, as he couldn't quite find the boundary required off the last ball to win the match.
There's not too much that separates these sides and that is reflected in the odds which project another thrilling finish. The Strikers could easily be undefeated going into this clash undefeated but it was instructive seeing how their batting unit struggled on a slower SCG surface prior to Christmas and whilst the Gades are yet to register a win, they retain a talented squad that is slowly working out the best formula and I think this is the time they will shake off all those close losses.
Betting Strategy
BACK: (WIN) Melbourne Renegades at $2.15+ for 1 unit
SYDNEY THUNDER V SYDNEY SIXERS
The first Sydney Smash of the season takes place at Sydney Showground Stadium on Saturday night with the Thunder hosting the Sixers. It's been hard to gauge just how well the Thunder are travelling with their only victory across their first three games coming against the lowly Melbourne Stars, but then they certainly had their moments in defeats against both the Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers, plus they boast a batting line-up that can find the boundary as well as any other. Meanwhile the ever-consistent Sixers just keep rolling along, finding ways to win tight matches with each of their first three going down to the last over including a one-run heartstopper against the Strikers which owed much to a clever spell from evergreen seamer Jackson Bird (2/19 off four overs).
The Sixers have won each of the last four clashes between these two fierce rivals and the punters fancy this is going the same way. There's no doubt that there are many areas in which the Magenta Men have their cross-town rivals covered, however clearing the ropes is not one of them with the Thunder able to call on the likes of Alex Hales, Oliver Davies and Daniel Sams and therefore I think there's plenty of value for the home side to finish with more maximums.
Betting Strategy
BACK: Sydney Thunder Most Sixes at $2.00+ for 2 units
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