THE EDGE: The Edge previews the BBL Qualifier 1 match between Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Qualifier 1: Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Big Bash Playoffs arrive on Betdaq Betting Exchange with Qualifier 1 on Friday! Brisbane Heat take on the Sydney Sixers after a massive clash between Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers for second spot on Tuesday. Brisbane Heat have been clear at the top of table for a while now, and you could even say that this is their first competitive game for a while given they have been certain of top spot. Obviously finishing in the top two is a massive advantage; the winner heads straight to the final while the loser goes to Qualifier 2 which is another chance at the final.
We have two top class sides here, Brisbane Heat went through the group stage unbeaten until their final game against Perth Scorchers when they were certain of top spot anyway. They had two games rained off, but other than that they have been excellent. They have had some very close games, but as always once teams get into the winning groove it’s easier to get over the line in tight situations. Sydney Sixers have the winning habit too – obviously they have an incredible record in the Big Bash and their squad has been very settled over the last few years.
These sides were pencilled in to meet in back-to-back clashes at the start of the year, but the first meeting was abandoned without a ball bowled and then Brisbane Heat won by 3 runs. That game had rain too, and Heat won on Duckworth Lewis. Steven Smith came in for the Sydney Derby but got a duck, and he’s back on Test duty. To be honest, Big Bash sides have had use of the major Aussie stars for most of the season so they have had to make do without them. We have two very solid sides here, and we should see some excellent cricket.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
The playoffs begin at the Carrara Oval on the Gold Coast. This is a fantastic ground – it’s used for Aussie Rules and can also have a football pitch too. As you can imagine, it’s a massive playing area – we’re talking the same size of the MCG roughly so don’t expect many sixes unless the boundaries are massive in. Unfortunately, we’ll have to go into the playoffs here with an open mind because we have yet to see a Big Bash game here this season. Brisbane Heat played once here last season, and they lost. Sydney Thunder posted 182/6 and the Heat could only manage 171/9 in return.
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s not a surprise that Sydney Sixers are the favourites at 1.78. You can understand that when you look at the situation Heat find themselves in. Test batters Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are unavailable but we always knew that with the Australia Test match. They have missed a lot of Heat games anyway, the bigger blow is losing Colin Munro and Sam Billings to the ILT20 in Dubai. Heat didn’t play them in their final game and they were all out for 128. The Sixers just chased down 197/4 in a must win game against Perth Scorchers, and they can carry that momentum into this game and win. I’d have them shorter than 1.78.
The Edge Says:
Three points win Sydney Sixers to beat Brisbane Heat at 1.78 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/HeaSix
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Without any ground info to go off this season, it’s hard to have a set in-running strategy before the game starts. There’s no obvious edge to batting or bowling first, this will be a game where you have to react to conditions at the time. I’d be very keen to take on the Brisbane Heat batting though with the players they have missing – the Sixers bowling is pretty settled and I feel that’s where the game will be won whichever innings it happens. First or second, I’d expect the Sixer bowling to outplay the Heat batting.
