Hurricanes v Sixers BBL betting tips & odds | The Qualifier

Hurricanes vs Sixers best bets

Hurricanes vs Sixers match preview

With a spot in the Big Bash League Final on the line, the Hobart Hurricanes host the Sydney Sixers in The Qualifier this Tuesday night.

The Hurricanes finished the season on top of the BBL14 ladder, with just two losses throughout the season while maintaining a perfect record at home.

Coming into their final game, the Hurricanes were already secure at the top of the ladder, which allowed them to manage the load of fast-bowling pair Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis. But as a result, the Hurricanes had their seven-game win streak broken in a 40-run loss to the Melbourne Stars.

Throughout the regular season, Hobart were known for their excellent batting performances, with arguably the most explosive lineup in the BBL. Opening batsman Mitch Owen was the breakout player of the tournament with 308 runs at a strike rate of 187, while finisher Tim David added 229 at a strike rate of 172.

With the ball, it was all about their pace attack, with Meredith and Ellis combining for 20 wickets at an economy rate of just above eight runs per over.

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Luckily, the Hurricanes squad will be unaffected by international tournaments and the Australian Test squad, so they will be at full strength for this clash. Meredith should come back into the side, while Hobart may look towards Peter Hatzoglou if they want more spin options.

The Sixers also went the full season with just two losses and will be confident heading into the BBL14 finals series.

Prior to their final match getting rained out, the Sixers finished the season strongly, beating the Scorchers and Strikers in consecutive matches.

However, unlike the Hurricanes, the Sixers have been heavily affected by international commitments. Having already lost English opener James Vince, they will now also lose Steve Smith and Sean Abbott to the Test squad.

Vince was the Sixers’ highest runscorer this tournament, with captain Moises Henriques not far behind. With the ball, Ben Dwarshuis has led the way with 12 wickets.

With the squad changes, expect Kurtis Patterson to return to the side at the top of the order, while veteran pace bowler Jackson Bird replaces Abbott.

Hurricanes vs Sixers predictions

Last time these sides met at this venue, the Hurricanes won by 50 runs in a dominant display. Facing a slightly depleted Sixers lineup, the ‘Canes appear to have more firepower with both bat and ball. Hobart love to use the short square boundaries at Bellerive Oval, so back them to be too strong for the Sixers at $1.78 with top BBL bookmakers.

As one of Australia’s premier white-ball bowlers, Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis shapes as the danger man with the ball. He has five wickets in his last three games, while holding the best economy rate in the Hurricanes attack. He takes key overs in both powerplays and at the death, so back Ellis for two or more wickets at $2.40 with top cricket betting sites.

Ben Dwarshuis is the one to watch for the Sixers as he looks to add to his 12 wickets for the tournament. The left-armer offers a point of difference and is guaranteed to bowl at the death with his wide array of off-pace deliveries. With Abbott out of the side, Dwarshuis becomes the leader of this attack, so back him to lead the way at $4 with major Australian bookies.

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