BIG BASH: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Thursday’s Big Bash Challenger: Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat with a recommended BETDAQ bet.


MATCH OVERVIEW:

We’re one step away from the Big Bash Final on Thursday morning as Perth Scorchers take on Brisbane Heat in the Challenger. We’ve been at the Manuka Oval for the last two Playoff games, and Cricket Australia have decided to stay here before moving to the SCG for the Final. Brisbane Heat have been busy, beating Adelaide Strikers in the Eliminator and then Sydney Thunder in the Knockout to get here, while Perth Scorchers were blown away by the Sydney Sixers in the Qualifier.

Perth will be hoping to bat much better here as they only managed 167/6 and as we know, that is just not enough at this ground. The Heat have been chasing very well and their bowlers have lead the charge which is usual from them. In fairness to the Heat, they have finished the tournament very strongly after a terrible start. Having Labuschagne come in after playing for Australia is a massive positive and we saw that in the Knockout as they lost Lynn at 14/2 and then Labuschagne was there to settle them down and the score was 70/3 by the next wicket.

The Scorchers have had a very up-and-down season and on reflection they benefited from their home conditions just at the right time in the tournament. They have a strong side on paper, but their batting hasn’t been bombproof and failed plenty of times. The Heat seem to be playing with a new confidence and I’d expect a very close game here which should be good for trading on BETDAQ Betting Exchange.


WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

We’ve had two Playoff games here already and had plenty of action towards the start of the tournament, so both sides should know conditions well. Perth were very poor here and they’ll need to adjust to that, while Heat will have confidence from their bowling the last two games. I would definitely bowl first if I won the toss here, I know you risk giving away a lot of run but we’ve had 180 chased here so I don’t feel 180ish is a safe score. We’ve had 200+ scores and the Heat scored 115 in a ten over game here. Expect good batting conditions and the bat to dominate the ball.


RECOMMENDED BET:

Regular readers will know that I’m not a big fan of the Heat, however they have offered value at certain times throughout the tournament. I have kept stakes small on them, but I do like them here at 2.26 for a slightly stronger bet. As I said above, I fully expect a close game here and I would have the odds very close to evens. The Heat are made a lot stronger with Labuschagne at three and although Perth have a strong line-up, they haven’t dominated with the bat so I make this a very 50/50 game.

The Edge Says:
Two points win Brisbane Heat to beat Perth Scorchers at 2.26 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange

View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQScrHea


IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

This has been an interesting ground because it’s quite clear that the bat will be on top over the ball – however that doesn’t really mean you want to lump on the team batting first. It has actually been the opposite, you want to be on the chasing team. We’ve had some massive scores like 219 but chasing 180ish here looks pretty comfortable. That brings pressure to the team batting first and they have tended to aim too high resulting in falling too short.

I would lean my book towards the batting team, but always keeping in mind it’s easier to chase here than other grounds. Lynn failed in his last game, but you’d think these conditions would really suit him and I would be happy to support him today. I’d be keen to get against the lower orders from both sides, and you wouldn’t want to be against Jason Roy for Perth here either with good batting conditions. I will keep stakes reasonably small with the player trades, and just look for good momentum trades on the batting side in these conditions.


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