Sports

Big Bash – Brisbane Heat versus Sydney Thunder Preview

The Brisbane Heat play host to the Sydney Thunder at the GABBA tonight in a match that sees the return of star slugger Chris Lynn.

Lynn has been dynamite in the Big Bash in recent seasons and he is a massive inclusion for the home side.

Brisbane won their first match at home piling on 7/206 with 50’s to Burns and Ross as well as 40 from McCullum and 35 from Cutting. They hit 9 individual 6’s in their innings.

In their second match the Heat were soundly beaten away by the Melbourne Renegades but I rate the Renegades as one of the top couple of sides in the competition and I’m prepared to forgive them for that defeat.

The Sydney Thunder won the first match of their campaign against the Sydney 6ers chasing down 149 to win off the last ball of the match with Shane Watson the man of the match with 77 off 46 balls including six sixes.

In their second match at the Adelaide Oval against the Adelaide Strikers, the Thunder were very ordinary being bundled out for just 110 in response to Adelaide’s 6/163. Kurtis Patterson with his 48 was the only batsman for the Thunder to have an impact.

From what I have seen in the first few games I am rating Brisbane a fair way in front of the Thunder.

While Brisbane’s bowling can be a little expensive their batting power of McCullum, Lynn, Ross, Burns and Cutting sees them capable of making some very big totals.

In contrast the Thunder really lack depth in their batting stocks and if Watson, Buttler or Patterson don’t score big they look to be in strife.

Watch out for the TABtouch special right throughout the course of the Big Bash whereby if you place a Match Result bet and your team wins, and 13 or more sixes are scored in the match, you will receive a 50% bonus on your winnings up to $50 (on-line account bets only).

This game definitely appeals as a fixture where you will be receiving a bonus if you can pick the right winning team. Brisbane scored 9 sixes in their last home match and with Lynn returning to the side that number could be even bigger tonight.

TABtouch match result betting sees the Brisbane Heat as popular favourites at $1.52 while the Sydney Thunder are a $2.55 outsider.

With home ground advantage and the return of Chris Lynn I think Brisbane will be awfully hard to beat in this clash.

Verdict : Brisbane look far too strong and I’m happy to be on them at $1.52.

Novelty Bets

Most Runs Brisbane Heat : Chris Lynn $3.50

Most Runs Sydney Thunder : Shane Watson $3.70

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