MELBOURNE STARS v SYDNEY THUNDER: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews the Big Bash clash with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

The Big Bash continues on Friday morning as we hit the MCG for Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder. Melbourne Stars couldn’t have got off to a worse start to the competition in the opening fixture, and they desperately need to bounce back quickly. With a bad start, these franchise leagues can get away quickly and when teams are at the bottom, players can down tools quickly. They conceded 213/4 to the Sydney Sixers and then got bowled out for 61 in an embarrassing loss, and one that will badly effect their net run rate for the whole tournament.

They face another side from Sydney here as the Thunder come to town, and they arrive full of confidence after easily chasing down 140/8 against Brisbane Heat in their opening game. The only positives for Melbourne Stars is that the Sydney Sixers have won the last two Big Bash tournaments and they are obviously a very strong side. Yes, the loss was big and embarrassing but they are a great side. While Sydney Thunder beat Brisbane Heat who have also been poor in recent season. Perhaps we should reserve judgement until we see this game.

There’s nothing positive to write about the Melbourne Stars performance – they need to improve everything! While Sydney Thunder chased down the score easily in their first game, their openers failed so they can improve in that department. We should have an interesting game on BETDAQ Betting Exchange..

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

With Covid19 last year, there is a gap in the stats heading into this tournament. Usually there isn’t a high volume of matches here, and we probably actually had a little higher than usual amount of games here because of the International calendar and the bio-bubble needed around those games. The average score batting first was 171, with the highest score 188/8 and the lowest 150 – which was recorded twice. The chasing side only won two from six games, with the tournament winner the Sydney Sixers being one of those sides. I would suggest a par score is actually the average score last year, around 170 should be the aim batting first.

RECOMMENDED BET:

We have an interesting market here. It’s pretty even, but I see Sydney Thunder offering a lot of value. Nothing went right for the Melbourne Stars in their opening game so we won’t judge them on that, but they do have a lot of issues looking at their squad. I don’t like their openers and that’s going to put a lot of pressure on the likes of Glenn Maxwell coming in needed to score quickly but also not lose his wicket because of what’s happened before. Their bowling also looks pretty weak – they need their Aussie stars fit and ready. Sydney Thunder have the bowlers to do well here and they should win – they can also improve their batting from their opening game.

The Edge Says:
Two points win Sydney Thunder to beat Melbourne Stars at 1.9 with BETDAQ Exchange.

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQMelSyd

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

Despite having a good idea of what conditions will bring here, I’d wait and see how the first few overs go before fully committing to an in-running strategy here. Batting first does look like a little edge, but I would be less confident on that if Melbourne Stars batted first given their openers – I just don’t like that combo. The Sydney Thunder bowlers can go well here too, and I’d be keen to support them along with taking on the Melbourne openers. It would be ideal if Sydney Thunder could bat first so we could look for a trade on them, and then take on the Melbourne Stars in the chase given the stats say there is a little edge defending.