Big Bash – Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder Preview

Posted on December 29, 2017June 7, 2018 | Posted by David Shortte

This is a match where both sides are in desperate need of a win with Hobart losing their only match to the Melbourne Renegades while the Sydney Thunder have lost their last two matches after scrambling to victory off the last ball in their first match of the tournament against the Sydney Sixers.

I thought both of these sides on paper looked a little light on for depth and it is how it has panned out so far this BBL.

The Hurricanes managed a respectable 8/164 against the Melbourne Renegades in their only game and there were contributions from Doolan (26), Short (34), McDermott (34), Bailey (25) and Christian (23). The positive of that is that all of their top order have had a nice hitout to get into T20 mode – the disappointing part is that one of them didn’t go on to post a fifty plus. They will be looking for one of their top order to go on with the job in this match.

For the Thunder it has been Shane Watson who has shone with the bat with his two innings of 77 off 46 balls against the Sixers and 56 off 34 balls against the Brisbane Heat seeing him as the leading runscorer of BBL7 thus far. Patterson has played well with innings of 29 and 48 but they need more from their English import Jos Buttler who is yet to fire.

Both sides have weak links within their bowling outfits and batsmen from both teams would be looking at this fixture as an opportunity to post a sizable tally.

I view this game as very much a line ball contest and my confidence levels accordingly are not high.

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 (online account bets only).

At a venue with small boundaries and bowling attacks which are gettable this is a match where there may well be 13 or more sixes scored in the game.

TABtouch match result betting sees the Hobart Hurricanes as the $2.00 outsiders with the Sydney Thunder a $1.80 favourite.

I’m not a big fan of either of these two sides and one or two special performances from the top end talent of either side may well prove the difference. I’m going to have a small play on the Hurricanes at the better value and with home ground advantage.

Verdict: A small play on Hobart at $2.

Novelty Bets

Most Runs Sydney Thunder: Shane Watson $3.50

Most Runs Hobart Hurricanes: George Bailey $4.50