2016-17 Big Bash League Semi Finals Betting Tips
So, here we are! After a great season of action and entertainment, we are left with four teams in the 2016-17 Big Bash League. Kicking off the semi-finals will be the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers in Perth on Tuesday, January 24. This will be followed by the Brisbane Heat versus Sydney Sixers in Brisbane on Wednesday, January 25. We have you covered with a preview and betting tips for both games below!
Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars (Jan 23rd, 7:40pm AEDT)
There’s no doubting the fact that Scorchers are one of the most successful franchises in the entire history of BBL. Giving prudence to that theory, they qualified to the finals by topping the league. Of course, they shared the same points as Heat and Sixers but the superior run rate of Scorchers helped them snatch a home semi-final.
The performances of Michael Klinger, Ian Bell and Mitchell Johnson have been at the forefront of leading the charge for Scorchers, but it is the back-to-form innings of Shaun Marsh in the final league game that is more comforting. Now that their replacement overseas import Tim Bresnan is also firing, they have all the belief to reach the finals.
The Stars qualified with some time to spare but their losses in the final two league games meant that they slid down the table to fourth position. The prime reason for their blip of form is the fact that they lost their important players to international call-ups. They get Marcus Stoinis back for the semis and that could ease their nerves.
The form of Kevin Pietersen and Scott Boland is one of the prime factors for the Stars’ successful run. Michael Beer and Ben Hilfenhaus too have been striking at important times.
Scorchers haven’t been able to maintain a consistent run and also have lost to the same opponent earlier in the league stage. The Stars have been going through a rough patch too but there’s enough spunk still in the squad to put it past the Scorchers.
TIP: Melbourne Stars to win – $2.20 at William Hill
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers (Jan 25th, 7:40pm AEDT)
The Heat have been so much about Chris Lynn and his big hitting in the early part of the season. His departure for international duty was met with a blip in their form. But the re-surging Brendon McCullum and the rising form of Joe Burns are leading the Heat at the time they need it the most.
With the ball, it’s the combination of Mark Steketee and Mitchell Swepson that’s keeping the opposition quiet. Can they do the job at the business end of the tournament?
The Sixers are the form team of the tournament now – having won three of their last four games. More importantly, the way Johan Botha and Shaun Abbott led them out of jail with the bat against the Stars should hold them in high spirits.
Daniel Hughes and Moises Henriques have been the star players for them – although Henriques has faded a little with the bat. With the ball it has to be Abbott that the Heat must be wary of.
It was Hughes that led the Sixers to a win over Heat early this season. And with the form that they are carrying into the semis, Sixers should be the favourites for this encounter.
TIP: Sydney Sixers to win – $2.10 at Bet365
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