PERTH SCORCHERS v MELBOURNE STARS: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews the Big Bash clash on Thursday with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

We have a cracking fixture in the Big Bash on Thursday morning on BETDAQ Betting Exchange, as Perth Scorchers take on the Melbourne Stars. As expected, Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers top the Big Bash table this season – they look head and shoulders above the other teams at the moment. Of course when we get to the Playoffs anything that happen, but those two sides look nailed on for first and second. It actually took a while for Perth Scorchers to lose a game, but Sydney Thunder handed them their first defeat on Tuesday morning.

Despite that loss, Perth Scorchers remain in a good place. Conceding 200/7 is a little worry but Sam Billings was just superb with 67 runs from 35. It can happen. For Melbourne Stars, they are in a bad place at the moment. They just haven’t been good enough this season and they come into this game under pressure in the race for the Playoff places. They are third from bottom in the table at the moment, but the good news for them is that it’s pretty wide open bar the top two. Hobart Hurricanes are clear third but they have played a game extra, and with the bonus points on offer anything can happen between all those sides in mid-table.

This should be a good game. On paper, Melbourne Stars are a good side. In fairness, they have always been a good side on paper. They just don’t put it together often enough, and their bowling has let them down this season. One has to wonder how they will cope against this good Perth Scorchers side.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

We’re in Melbourne today, but not at Melbourne Stars home ground. This game is technically a Perth Scorchers home fixture, just hosted at Docklands. Unfortunately we can see a range of scores at this ground, and I would go into this game with an open mind on the pitch. We saw 206/5 from Hobart Hurricanes in the last game here, but prior to that we saw 151/8 from Melbourne Renegades. Perth Scorchers were actually involved in that game, and they chased it down in 16.5 overs suggesting the wicket is pretty good at the moment but it can get quite slow here too. Perth Scorchers have played Melbourne Renegades twice here already, and they scored over 200 when they batted first. I would expect runs, but just don’t bank on it.

RECOMMENDED BET:

Melbourne Stars have won three from six games this season, but their wins have been against Sydney Thunder who they played twice within three days and then Brisbane Heat who are a poor side. They have come up short against the better sides, and you’d have to class Perth Scorchers are one of the best sides in the league. I know Melbourne Stars have some world class players, but over all Perth are a much stronger side and I would have them shorter than the current 1.8 to win here. They are a confident bet.

The Edge Says:
Three points win Perth Scorchers to beat Melbourne Stars at 1.8 BETDAQ Exchange.

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

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

Plenty to look at in-running here. The wicket looks pretty good for batting, so I wouldn’t want to be supporting the bowling side for long. I feel looking at the recent games, you definitely want to be looking for trades on the side batting first – I would suggest that if Perth Scorchers bat first then you could open those trades with confidence and if it was Melbourne Stars I would definitely lower stakes. The Perth bowling looks much better, and if Perth batted first I would expect a high score with the Melbourne Stars bowling looking a little weak. The Stars have some big names, but they aren’t quite firing and they are worth a lot of ticks in the market if you can take them on successfully.