BIG BASH KNOCKOUT: The Edge previews Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s do-or-die time at the Big Bash on Betdaq Betting Exchange ! Wednesday sees the Knockout as Hobart Hurricanes host Melbourne Stars. The way the Playoffs have worked in the Big Bash, it’s always paid to finish in those top two spots – when you’re third and fourth, you have to win three games in a row to claim the title and given how competitive the league is – that’s tough. That being said, you can build some excellent momentum – ironically both of these sides lost their final Group stage game!
Glenn Maxwell has been a big talking point for the Melbourne Stars – he has really suffered with his form during this tournament – he’s reached double figures just twice. He’s been out for 2, 1, 1, 1 and 3 – the obvious thing for Hobart is to get him early. We all know he’s a big game player – one wonders where his confidence is at though given they sent him so low down the order against Perth Scorchers. Melbourne Stars are the only side in the Big Bash who haven’t won a title – they have the biggest stadium – you could argue the biggest name given all the stars that have played for them down through the years, but they’ve always struggled. Getting to the Playoffs has been a big issue – at least they don’t have the chokers tag!
Hobart Hurricanes have been very consistent – it will be interesting to see who can hold their nerve in the big moments. Melbourne Stars might be away from home here, but they hammered Hobart earlier in the tournament. They knocked off 158/9 with 24 balls to spare. With the pressure on, we should have a cracking game!
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
With Cricket Australia taking the Big Bash to some smaller grounds and towns in recent years, Hobart have been one of the sides to move around. Perhaps because it was an Ashes summer in Australia – that hasn’t been the case in the Big Bash this season. Hobart have got to play all their five home games. This is always a good place to bat and scoring has been good – the first inning scores have been 180/6 (chased), 162/9 (chased), 229/3 (won), 178/6 (won) and 160/8 (won). I’d expect reasonably good batting conditions again, and I feel you’d have to bat first in a crunch match.
RECOMMENDED BET:
Ironically at the time of writing – we have the exact same odds here as the Qualifier on Tuesday. The home side is 1.83 and the away side is 2.16! On paper, this feels like a very close game and I’d actually have the market at 50/50. While both sides have performed at a decent level this Big Bash, it’s quite easy to pick holes in either of them. Dare I say, the loser in the Qualifier on Tuesday won’t be overly bothered who wins here. I’m going to keep stakes small and opt for Melbourne Stars just purely from a value point of view as they are the bigger price in what I make as a 50/50 game.
The Edge Says:
One point win Melbourne Stars to beat Hobart Hurricanes at 2.16 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/BBHoMe
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I said similar in the Qualifier on Tuesday, but this has a feel of a game that will bounce around in-running. The batting surface here is quite good, and it tends to produce very fair conditions – I would be keen to support the side that bats first and unless they go absolutely massive then I’d expect a competitive chase. I’d be keen to support both middle orders with the bat – that is where they are both quite strong.
