BBL06 Strikers vs. Sixers betting odds, team news & free tips

Dead last after successive losses in their opening two games, Adelaide Strikers have slipped back to $15 outsider odds in the BBL title betting at CrownBet.

But they haven’t played anywhere near as badly as their current position might suggest.

The Strikers were in prime position to chase down Brisbane Heat’s 206 before the back-to-back dismissals of Ben Dunk and Jake Weatherald upset their rhythm.

Those two were out for a combined tally of one run at the WACA, leaving Brad Hodge and company with a mountain to climb against a power-packed Perth Scorchers attack.

Therein lies the problem for the Strikers: twice they have batted second, and twice they have had to chase totals in the vicinity of 200.

Some success at the coin toss could help, but a more disciplined performance from the seamers would be even better.

While Chris Jordan has taken wickets, they have come at an economy rate of 11.

Ben Laughlin, Michael Neser and Kane Richardson have also gone at well over 10 runs per over.

In their defence, the Strikers have thus far only played on superb batting strips in Adelaide and Perth – a task the Sydney Sixers bowlers have yet to tackle.

The visitors could be without two of their most important assets for the New Year’s Eve blockbuster.

There is some doubt over the fitness of Jason Roy, who sat out against the Scorchers earlier this week after hurting his back in training.

The England opener’s absence wasn’t felt too harshly in that instance, but it could become a serious issue for a side that carries one of the competition’s lightest batting lineups.

While Roy’s availability for Adelaide remains uncertain, there is no longer any doubt around Steve O’Keefe.

The New South Wales spinner didn’t fly out with the Sixers squad on Friday, which all but confirmed his selection for Australia in the Sydney Test match.

That means a lot more responsibility for Johan Botha and Kiwi tweaker Will Somerville, who impressed in the win over Perth with two wickets at a tidy five runs per over.

Whether that kind of form on the slowish surface of the SCG transfers to the flat track at Adelaide remains to be seen.

Brad Hodge top batsman specials

If he really wanted to, this guy could play into his fifties.

Hodge, now 42, is the only Adelaide batsman to have performed in each game to date.

If he’d received any kind of support from the blokes around him, those knocks of 27 not out (17 balls) against Brisbane and 56 (33 balls) against Perth might have been match-winners.

Travis Head has shown no great touch since returning to T20 cricket from Australia’s ODI series, so it may fall yet again to the Strikers skipper to pick up where the openers leave off.

Hodge offers super value for such a consistent scorer, so all the batting markets are well worth a look.

Man of the match – $21 at CrownBet

Top match batsman – $9.50 at Sportsbet

Top Strikers batsman – $6 at CrownBet

To hit the most sixes – $8 at Bet365

To score 50 – $5 at CrownBet

To score 100 – $34 at William Hill

Strikers vs. Sixers match betting tips

It’s a hard one to read.

We all remember Head’s last-over heroics on New Year’s Eve in Big Bash League 2015-16.

But do the Strikers have the defensive bowling chops to keep them in the game?

They can’t expect to win in this division if they concede 200 runs every time.

On the other hand, do Sydney possess enough top-tier batting power if Roy doesn’t pass fit?

We saw Sam Billings do a very nice job at the top of the order against Perth, and his reverse sweep could be a great weapon on the short square boundaries of Adelaide Oval.

But what about Brad Haddin, Jordan Silk, Johan Botha, Ryan Carters – are they good enough to get a really big score?

And without O’Keefe – not to mention all the other blokes on Test duty – there is a question of depth with the ball as well.

The gut says Strikers to open their account at home in front of a packed house.

Match result – Adelaide Strikers ($1.82 at CrownBet)

Highest first six overs – Adelaide Strikers ($1.91 at William Hill)

Strikers most runs/most wickets – Hodge/Pollard ($31 at William Hill)