Cricket T20 Big Bash League - Strikers v Scorchers & Heat v Hurricanes Preview & Betting Tips

• Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes
• KFC Big Bash League 12
• Friday January 20, 2023 (5.30am - 9am UK)
• Adelaide Oval and The Gabba, Brisbane

One thing has become quite clear in terms of the BBL - consistently, Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers are miles better than the rest.

The two sides have shared the last three titles and sit pretty again at the right end the table having already qualified for the finals series as the top two finishers.

Leaders and champions Perth have 18 points and nine wins from 12 games, while Sydney have 17 and eight wins from 12. There is a five-point gap between them and third-placed Melbourne Renegades.

Now that’s no guarantee that this year’s title will go to either of those teams, but whoever topples them will have to produce a special performance or two.

I’m actually looking forward to the second game of the day more, Brisbane v Hobart, one which has huge ramifications on finals qualification.

I have a hunch for the Heat here, who are 23/30 with bet365.

In competitions such as this, there is more often than not a team who gets on a late run and sneaks into the finals after a dodgy start, and it wouldn’t amaze me if that was the Heat in this instance.

Graham Hardcastle's Cricket Tips

Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes

Graham has a hunch for the Brisbane Heat to get the win

Get 23/30 on Brisbane Heat to beat Hurricanes at bet365

At 23/30 a £10 bet would return £17.67

Cricket Big Bash League

January 20, 2023

9:00 am GMT

Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Oval (5.30am UK)

I have been guilty of underestimating Perth this tournament. The best way of describing them is that they are a team who are greater than the sum of their parts.

They lack significant star quality, but they know their roles and are a well oiled machine.

But Adelaide have shown their quality through this tournament and have, in truth a bit more to fight for with the likes of Carey, Head and Siddle in their ranks.

They may have lost their last two games, including at home to the Heat, but they have won four of six at the Adelaide Oval this summer.

You can see where I’m going again, can’t you…..Dangerous, I know.

I’m going to be stubborn and take on Perth again. Adelaide are a best price of 11/8 to win with Ladbrokes.

As I say, I just think the Strikers, with qualification on the line, may just have a bit more to fight for here.

After a stunning summer in Australian colours, Travis Head’s return to the BBL has been underwhelming, with scores of five and one in two games opening the batting.

In ODI and Test cricket before that, the Strikers captain had posted summer scores of 69, 19, 152, 99, 175, 38 not out, 92, nought, 51 and 70.

With form like that behind him, I’d be more than happy to advocate his success in this fixture, with Ladbrokes offering a price boosted 4/1 on the left-hander to score a fifty against the Scorchers.

Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes, The Gabba (9am UK)

I’m hoping the Heat’s last ball victory against the Melbourne Stars last time out, when Matt Renshaw scooped the four needed off the last ball to win, has put them a roll.

They have won their last two matches, both tight fixtures - the other against the Strikers.

I have already offered up the 23/20 on them to beat the inconsistent Hurricanes, who are a point ahead of the Heat with three to play.

The top five qualify for the Finals, and the middle of the table is jam-packed. Three points separate third-place Renegades (12) and Heat (nine) in seventh. If you fancy the Heat and Strikers Friday double, it is on offer at 3.94/1 with SportingIndex.

I’m going to offer exactly the same bet here as I did for the Strikers game with Travis Head, working on the same logic as well. Usman Khawaja has been price boosted by Ladbrokes to 4/1 to score a fifty in this fixture.

He has a top score of 28 in three BBL games since returning from Aussie Test duty when he posted scores of 65, 62, 45 and 195 not out in eight innings.

Opener Khawaja is due a score and is too good not to produce at some point soon. I can see it being here and now.

* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.

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