We take a look at Friday nights (21/12/2018) BBL Big Bash Week 1 match which is between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars. It looks a big match between two of the most popular teams in the competition who will both be seen for the first time this season. We take a look at both teams odds and give our tips and value tips for the match.
When: Dec 21, Fri, 07:15 PM LOCAL
Where: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
SYDNEY THUNDER ($1.75) v MELBOURNE STARS ($2.05)
The Stars finished on the bottom of the BBL ladder last season so the big question for punters is what have they done to improve? Melbourne have lost KP and Bob Quiney who have both retired whilst they picked up Dwayne Bravo from crosstown rivals the Renegades. Punters need to know that Marcus Stoinis is fit to play after recovering from an ankle injury although the Wolf doesn’t think they have done enough to get the win.
The Thunder could be the surprise team in the BBL this season with some very experienced international players in Joe Root and Joss Buttler. Add Shane Watson and NSW young gun Kurtis Patterson into the mix and the Wolf can’t understand how more punters aren’t interested in the $1.98 for the Thunder to win more than 6.5 games.
Odds:
Tip: Melbourne Stars at $2.00
Other BETS:
Most wickets: Bravo vs Lamichhane/Sandhu ($2.25)
The Wolf knows that Bravo is a proven performer on the big stage and was the equal leading wicket taker last season in the BBL. Stars leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane is just 18 years old and impressed in the IPL and Caribbean Premier League. The Nepalese young gun is playing his first season for the Stars but hasn’t taken enough multiple wicket hauls to challenge Bravo.
VALUE: Thunder Highest 1st 6 Overs/Maxwell to hit a 6/Thunder Win – $4.75
There are some things you can just guarantee in cricket, one is that nothing builds a bowlers backyard confidence like putting tape around a tennis ball and the other is that Glenn Maxwell will try and hit a 6 in this game. The Wolf is very confident that the Thunder will produce the goods in this game with a strong batting line up and the $4.75 for them to have a quick start, win the game and for the Big Show to smack it over the fence is excellent value.
Teams:
Sydney Thunder squad
Shane Watson (c), Fawad Ahmed, Jos Buttler (England) Pat Cummins, Anton Devcich (New Zealand) Callum Ferguson, Ryan Gibson, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Chris Jordan (England), Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Nathan McAndrew, Arjun Nair, Kurtis Patterson, Sam Rainbird, Joe Root (England), Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha
Melbourne Stars squad
Michael Beer, Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Dwayne Bravo (West Indies), Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Matt Parkinson (England)*, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change