THE EDGE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Friday’s Big Bash match between Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Big Bash Playoffs kick off on BETDAQ Betting Exchange as Sydney Thunder face Brisbane Heat in the Eliminator! We had a drama filled end to the group stage – and in fairness we had a brilliant group stage with plenty of high quality cricket and enjoyable games. Cricket Australia came into this Big Bash with falling attendances and overseas stars choosing other leagues, but I think they will be very happy with the way the season has played out. All they need now is a good week in the playoffs!
Sydney Thunder chased down Melbourne Stars 119/7 in a very nervy fashion, while Brisbane Heat went into the final week in a good position on 13 points, they lost to Hobart Hurricanes failing to chase down 120/9 which meant they dropped down to the final playoff spot as Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder jumped over them. It goes without saying that the pressure is on here because the loser is heading out, and while it’s nice that fourth and fifth get to the playoffs, you have to say they face a very difficult journey to win the tournament from here – they have to be faultless.
You couldn’t call either of these sides faultless either. Brisbane Heat finished the group stage strongly with four wins in a row, but that final loss and failing to chase 120 has to make you worry heading into the playoffs. Sydney Thunder only won two of their final five games. It’s fair to say both sides need David Warner and Usman Khawaja to fire at the top of the order, but they haven’t hit the ground running and both have big questions to answer heading into this game.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Sydney Thunder have home advantage at the Sydney Showground Stadium, but is it an advantage? They have lost three of their four games here – however that win came against the Brisbane Heat! The first inning scores here have been; 139/9 (won), 121/6 (chased), 133/8 (chased) and 111 all out (chased). As you can see, scoring has been quite difficult here. We also had a new World Record here with Sydney Thunder bowled out for just 15 runs in the first game at this ground this season. I would definitely bowl first if I won the toss – it’s going to be very difficult to set a score.
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s not surprising to see we don’t have a clear favourite here, and I expect a very close game here. The Heat put together a nice winning run of four games to get here, but that failed chase on Wednesday does worry me. I’m going to keep stakes small here, but I’m happier on the Brisbane Heat. Sydney Thunder have been pretty average throughout the tournament, and David Warner has been very poor since coming into the side from the Aussie Test side. They were absolutely hammered by the Sydney Sixers, and only barely got past the Melbourne Stars who have been so poor this season too. I wouldn’t call either side reliable, but it’s a small bet on the Heat for me at 2.02.
The Edge Says:
One point win Brisbane Heat to beat Sydney Thunder at 2.02 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/SydBrs
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
As I said above, this is definitely a game for keeping stakes small because neither side are reliable. It’s a long way to the Final from here, and to be honest it would be very surprising if we saw either team there. I’ll happily take on David Warner again at the top of the innings for Sydney Thunder because he has been so poor in the Big Bash. I feel the best edge here will be to back the side who bowls first – scoring has looked very tough here and I’d expect a reasonably low score from the side batting first. Don’t be too confident in the chasing side though, and trade out at the inning breaks.
