THE EDGE: The Edge previews the BBL Challenger: Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Challenger: Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s Challenger time at the Big Bash on Betdaq Betting Exchange Monday as Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers are just one step away from the final. We had a dramatic weekend that saw the two sides who batted first – Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers beat Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers. You have to say, these two have suffered the most from the International stars leaving for the T20 league in Dubai and the Adelaide Strikers win over Perth Scorchers was quite the shock indeed, especially in Perth.
Sydney Sixers were fully expected to beat Brisbane Heat as they have been hit massively by played leaving. I really think Cricket Australia need to do something about this situation going forward – I know the other franchise leagues are paying more and that is always going to be an issue, but we can’t have played leaving at playoff stages to go to the start of a new tournament. Cricket Australia have to help sides meet the salaries for the big names to stay for the playoffs – it’s only a couple of days extra.
Brisbane Heat collapsed for 113 against Sydney Sixers and to be honest that was hardly surprising given the batting talented they are missing. They topped the table, but were all out cheaply in their final group game too when they had to change their side. The Adelaide Strikers batting has been hit with no Chris Lynn but their bowling really stepped up after losing Jamie Overton, who was their best bowler. A fascinating game awaits however been too weakened sides who are so close to the final.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
The Qualifier was the first Big Bash fixture at Carrara this season, and we only had one game here last season too. That’s not really a sample size of any note to go off – the only thing to say is that I don’t expect conditions to have changed much between Friday and now. Sydney Sixers batted first and posted 152/8 then bowled Brisbane Heat out for 113. The reality is the Heat’s batting has been gutted with the way things have turned out, and it’s actually hard to say what is a par score here. We have two sides missing key batters, I wouldn’t be surprised if scoring was on the lower side.
RECOMMENDED BET:
Obviously given the situation this is a very interesting market. Brisbane Heat hope that Cricket Australia release Matt Renshaw with the break between the Tests against West Indies. Ironically, at the moment, it depends on the situation with Usman Khawaja – another Heat player. Australia will run the risk of not having a reserve batter but Khawaja needs to pass a concussion test. Obviously the Heat need all the help they can get with the bat, but I am still surprised to see them trading as favourites here. Their batting has been terrible in their last two games since they were without their star batters. I know Adelaide Strikers are missing players too, but their performance against Perth in their backyard was very impressive. I’m happy to take the 2.08 on the Strikers here, and I feel we’re getting plenty of value.
The Edge Says:
Three points win Adelaide Strikers to beat Brisbane Heat at 2.08 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/HeaStr
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
After the last two Heat performances with the bat, I really wouldn’t trust them while batting. Obviously the Strikers will be without their best bowler, and batsman for that matter, but their bowlers went really well against Perth Scorchers. They won’t need to be as good to have the same success here in my opinion. Batting first might prove to be a little edge but we don’t have much ground data here. I feel the biggest in-running trade will be taking on the Heat batting whatever innings that falls in.
