Cricket: KFC Big Bash – Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder Odds and Betting Preview

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – The Big Bash action return on Tuesday following a short break as the teams begin their final league matches and everyone will hope to finish with a win. Brisbane Heat host Sydney Thunder at the GABBA here and while both sides still have an outside chance of making it to the semi-finals they will not want to lose and be in danger of walking away with the wooden spoon.

Brisbane Heat are the 8/11 favourites for this tie with most firms, including Paddy Power and Stan James, while Sydney Thunder are quoted at 6/5 with Boylesports.

Brisbane Heat will expect a bumper crowd at the GABBA on Tuesday evening in a match that could mark the end of Matthew Hayden’s remarkable career. He has not currently decided whether he will once again call it a day but is sure to get a warm reception in front of his home supporters. Heat are also able to call on the services of both their New Zealand overseas players, McCullum and Vettori and are a side full of confidence following successive victories. They were unlucky to lose their opening three games in tight affairs and have been one of the form sides in recent weeks. The Brisbane franchise look to have enough quality in their squad to finish the tournament with a win here.

Sydney Thunder will be without their big-hitting opener David Warner who was not released by Cricket Australia for this game. He would have set the innings alight at the top of the order alongside the powerful Chris Gayle, creating a spectacle sure to draw the crowds in. Warner has only been able to play one game for the franchise thumping an unbeaten century and is sure to be missed. Thunder won their opening two games in the Big Bash but have followed that with four consecutive defeats and look a side short on confidence.

In the Top Brisbane Heat Batsman market, Brendan McCullum is the 11/4 favourite with bet365 while the veteran Matthew Hayden is a 3/1 chance with BetVictor. McCullum has shown some great form back in his native New Zealand and will be desperate to impress tonight whilst fellow countryman Daniel Vettori has been influential in both the Heat’s wins and is a 10/1 chance to top score with bat in hand. Andrew Robinson is a 9/2 chance with Skybet while Chris Lynn and James Hopes are both 5/1 shots with Ladbrokes and William Hill respectively.

Chris Gayle has been the star performer for Sydney scoring over a 150 runs more than any other player on their team and it is therefore unsurprising to see him quoted as the 7/4 favourite with Ladbrokes in the Top Sydney Thunder Batsman betting. Usman Khawaja is a general 4/1 chance in this market while Daniel Smith can be backed at 9/2 with Stan James. Ben Dunk has been very quiet in the KFC Big Bash and looks to be due a big innings, punters can back the talented player at a standout 7/1 with Ladbrokes today.

In the Most Sixes betting, Sydney Thunder are an industry best price of 11/10 with Boylesports which looks a generous price if Gayle is at his destructive best on a ground he has made his own. The West Indian has smashed 22 sixes in the competition which is a remarkable achievement. Brisbane Heat are priced up at 11/8 with BetVictor whilst a  draw in this market is a 6/1 chance with bet365.

Play begins at 08.30 GMT on Tuesday 17th January and bettors can watch all the action via bet365’s excellent online streaming service.

Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder – Match Result Odds
Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder – Top Brisbane Heat Batsman Odds
Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder – Top Sydney Thunder Batsman Odds
Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder – Most Sixes Betting