Free Big Bash cricket betting preview and tips for Sunday

Cricket betting tips: Big Bash League

2pts Daniel Hughes Top Sydney Sixers batsman at 11/2

2pts Nathan McAndrew top Sydney Thunder bowler at 9/2

• Big Bash: Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat
• When: Jan 10 0815 GMT
• Where: Carrara
• TV: BT Sport

Sydney Sixers still sit second in the Big Bash league table despite losing two of their last three matches, and the defending champions are expected to be bang there at the business end of the tournament once again.

The Sixers probably haven't played their best cricket so far this season, but they are generally very good at finding a way, with their batting boasting quality at the top of the order and power lower down through the likes of Dan Christian and Jordan Slik.

The bowling has plenty of options, too, with Christian proving priceless in the Power Surge, Jackson Bird typically reliable with the new ball, and quality spin in their ranks when needed.

I still think they'll go very close to winning the tournament again, but they must arrest a couple of recent reverses and Sunday's opponents, Brisbane Heat, come into this clash following three straight victories.

The Heat started the season with a sting of naive performances, but the return to full fitness of Chris Lynn and signing of Joe Denly has given the batting a much stronger look to it.

The bowling has pace, with Jack Wildermuth impressing with the new ball and Lewis Gregory's variety at the death proving the perfect foil for Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman who has been one of the best performers in the competition this term.

Nevertheless, I still have faith in the Sixers' ability to get the job done, for all Brisbane's intimidating top order is enough to stop me taking 4/5 about the Sydney outfit.

Instead, I'd rather advise a bet on Daniel Hughes in the top Sixers batsman market.

Hughes has been in sublime touch so far this season - amassing 213 runs from number four with his elegant style of batting - and I think 11/2 underestimates his chances against what is a now well-balanced Heat attack.

As ever in this market, Josh Philippe heads the betting, but I think Wildermuth could really cause him some problems with the new ball while James Vince has been short of runs in recent weeks.

Hughes, on the other hand, has the form and game to prosper against Wildermuth and Mujeeb and Sky Bet have dangled the carrot at 11/2. I'll bite and take the classy left-hander on Sunday morning.

• Big Bash: Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder
• When: Jan 09 0815 GMT
• Where: Perth
• TV: BT Sport

Sydney Thunder got back to winning ways when producing a fine second-innings bowling performance against fellow high-flyers, Hobart Hurricanes, on Thursday.

Having endured a rare off-day against Brisbane Heat in their previous game, and then posted an only par score of 167-5 against the Hurricanes, the Thunder were in big trouble when the men in purple cruised to 91-2 with Englishman Dawid Malan controlling their run chase.

However, his dismissal to the impressive Chris Green – one of three excellent spinners in Thunder’s starting XI – put the brakes on the batting side and the league leaders went in for the kill thereafter, squeezing the run rate and picking up regular the wickets with a slick display in the field.

That aforementioned spin trio – should Arjun Nair get another game in the midst of fierce competition for places – will ensure the Thunder once again have all bases covered with the ball when they face a resurgent Perth Scorchers on Saturday morning.

The Scorchers endured a torrid start to their campaign, but they have won their last three now with Jason Roy’s arrival changing the dynamic of the team and seemingly feeding confidence to the rest of the batting unit.

Whether the Scorchers have left it too late to catapult themselves into title contention remains to be seen, but they do promise to pick up some big scalps along the way in the coming weeks.

As such, the Thunder will have to be on their mettle here – particularly with Daniel Sams again absent through concussion - but I am surprised to see the table-toppers priced up as second favourites at 11/10.

The Thunder look a quality outfit to my eye and while the Scorchers are always to be respected at home, they will need to raise their game again.

At a bigger price, I can’t resist a bet on Nathan McAndrew for top Thunder bowler honours at 9/2 given his wickets made the early inroads against the Hurricanes on Thursday – a theme of his tournament which has seen him pick up 10 scalps already this season.

McAndrew might go under the radar in an attack as good as the Thunder’s, but his ability to continually pick up wickets is priceless and with Sams absent, he will again be needed to bowl those crucial death overs on Saturday than can yield plenty of rewards.

With Perth always offering encouragement to the fast bowlers, McAndrew’s slippery pace and good bouncer promise to come to the fore again and he looks too big at the prices.

Posted at 2100 GMT on 08/01/20

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