THE EDGE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Wednesday’s Big Bash match between Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder
MATCH OVERVIEW:
We have the final group game of the Big Bash 2022/23 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange on Wednesday morning! Melbourne Stars host Sydney Thunder as they can only play for pride sitting bottom of the table. It’s a different story for Sydney Thunder however, as they are right in the playoff mix. A lot can happen on the final day with Hobart Hurricanes playing Brisbane Heat in the early game too. The Thunder would have been delighted to see Hobart lose to Sydney Sixers on Monday morning as they had two games to play heading into the final week, even though they only had ten points. Sydney Thunder are in a reasonably strong position, but their net run rate is very poor.
The good news for Thunder fans is they get to play the Melbourne Stars who have easily been the worse team in the Big Bash this season. It was always going to be a tough year when they lost Glenn Maxwell through injury before the tournament even started. That meant their side lost a huge amount of balance, not even mentioning he was their best batsman. The Stars have only managed three wins all season, and two of those came against the Adelaide Strikers who have been pretty average too.
While the Thunder haven’t been the most reliable side, and indeed they come into the final game in poor form too. They have lost four of their last five games – mid-season they looked certain for a playoff spot but they have to battle now. Morale can’t be too high after conceding 187 runs to the Sydney Sixers and then getting bowled out for 62 either. However, they should be able to outperform the Stars who have been poor.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
This is the final game of the group stage, and it’s probably fitting to end the group stage at the MCG! It’s the best stadium for cricket, however it’s very unlikely to be even close to a full house here. This will be the sixth game here, with the first inning scores from the first five games reading; 183/5 (won), 141/7 (won), 173/5 (chased), 108 all out (chased) and 159/7 (chased). Judging from those scores, it’s been a little difficult to say what’s a par score here. We’ve had a range of scores and chases, but remember Melbourne Stars have been poor this season so that is a factor – for example they couldn’t defend 173/5 and 159/7.
RECOMMENDED BET:
Sydney Thunder might be a “need to win” price at around 1.7, but it’s hard to see past them here. Melbourne Stars have offered very little this season, and while Thunder haven’t been reliable they have been a much better side compared to the Stars. I’m very happy to be on Sydney Thunder here, but I’m also happy to keep stakes small here. That was a very heavy defeat for the Thunder against the Sixers the weekend, but the Sixers have clearly been one of the better sides this season so we can forgive them that. It’s hard to see past the Thunder here.
The Edge Says:
One point win Sydney Thunder to beat Sydney Sixers at 1.7 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/StaThu
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
As I said above, this is definitely a game to keep stakes small. You wouldn’t call either side reliable with the bat, and this is a game not to leave trades open for long. It’s hard to gauge conditions at the MCG because we’ve had a range of scores, so I don’t see an edge here batting or bowling first. Sometimes the best trade is no trade, and nothing jumps off the page here in my opinion.
