SYDNEY THUNDER v ADELAIDE STRIKERS: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews the Big Bash Knockout game on Sunday with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

Big Bash Knockout Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers

MATCH OVERVIEW:

We’re back at the MCG on Sunday morning as it’s Knockout time at the Big Bash on BETDAQ Betting Exchange! Adelaide Strikers made it through the Eliminator against Hobart Hurricanes with an impressive performance, and now they meet Sydney Thunder. Adelaide Strikers bring huge momentum into the Playoffs as they finished the Group stage very strongly – they beat Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers recently, and you get the feeling that this will be a cracking game.

Although Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers were the top two sides this season, Sydney Thunder were bang in the mix for that second spot with the Sixers. They actually finished on the same amount of points and just missed out because of their net run rate. The Big Bash have done a lot wrong in recent seasons with the change to playing rules etc, and you can see that hasn’t worked when you look at the crowds this season, but they do get the playoffs right in my opinion. It’s the perfect set up and does give an advantage to the top two. Although there was a lot of Covid19 issues this season, the Thunder actually did very well with some of the players they were forced to bring in.

This should be a good game, and a very close game. The Thunder also finished the Group stage pretty strongly, and they won both meetings between the sides when they were played around mid-season. The Thunder batted first twice and scored 187/3 and 172/7, winning by 22 and 28 runs. Adelaide Strikers have the momentum, but can Thunder stop them?

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

Scoring has been good at the MCG this season and batting first has provided a little edge. If you recall my thoughts on Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes here from Friday, it was a pretty much textbook game that went to plan. I don’t feel there’s a question here – if you win the toss you bat first. Adelaide managed 188/6 on Friday and scoring has been good in general here – we’ve had a couple of low scores chased easily but from everything I’ve seen I would suggest that 170 is a par score. Whoever played best on the day would win, but once it goes over that batting first then chasing becomes very tricky.

RECOMMENDED BET:

It’s not a surprise to see Thunder as favourites here. They have been impressive in the tournament to date and they also won the two group games against the Strikers. However, those games were a while ago now and the Strikers finished the group stage very impressively. Although I expect a very close game here, I feel the value is with the Strikers at 2.1 or bigger. They have superb momentum coming into this game, put in an impressive display here on Friday and must be full of confidence. This is a small stake bet purely from a value point of view – I would have this game 2.0 the pair but the Strikers are in a good place coming into this game.

The Edge Says:
One point win Adelaide Strikers to beat Sydney Thunder at 2.1 with BETDAQ Exchange.

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQThuAde

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

The in-running strategy worked a treat here on Friday and I would keep things very simple and aim for more of the same. In a close game, the toss and conditions will have a big impact and I feel it’s clear that batting first offers an edge here and I’d be happy to focus on that. Both sides have been pretty reliable with the bat this tournament – obviously in a T20 league you’re going to have your ups and downs – but they have been reliable enough to open trades on while batting. Adelaide done a fantastic job batting first here on Friday and their openers have looking excellent too, so hopefully they can bat first again and open a trade on the openers.