Big Bash tips for Hurricanes vs. Scorchers & Sixers vs. Stars

Hobart Hurricanes vs. Perth Scorchers

4:20pm local time – Saturday, January 21, 2017 – Blundstone Arena, Hobart

Hobart Hurricanes have to win to keep their finals hopes alive.

And if Melbourne Renegades salute at the Gabba on Friday, the Tasmanian side will need to triumph by a hefty margin to ensure the best possible net run rate.

They have the firepower with Tim Paine, D’Arcy Short and George Bailey in the top order, not to mention Ben McDermott – he of that stunning century against the Renegades last week.

They chased down 222 in that game, so Perth Scorchers may need their star bats to up the ante.

The West Australians haven’t posted a score of more than 180 since their opening fixture against Adelaide Strikers.

Their entire roster has managed only four half-centuries in BBL06 – two to Michael Klinger and one apiece to Ian Bell and the injured Mitchell Marsh.

The fast bowling of Mitchell Johnson, Jhye Richardson and Andrew Tye has kept them competitive, but someone in the top order will need to step up and give Klinger a hand if a big score is required.

Victory would assure Perth of a playoff spot and put them in the running for a home semifinal, pending the outcome of Saturday’s headline act at the SCG.

If they lose, there is a chance they could slide out of the top four on net run rate.

George Bailey betting markets

McDermott may have grabbed the headlines, but Bailey was every bit as important in that stunning win over the Renegades.

The Tassie stalwart showed all his considerable match nous in that knock, feeding his younger partner the strike at every opportunity and then switching it on as soon as it was his turn to go.

The beauty of Bailey is his ability to cultivate profitable partnerships in just about any situation.

Whether the Hurricanes are hitting from the front or chasing the win, he is the rock.

Man of the match – $15 at CrownBet

Top match batsman – $9 at Sportsbet

To score 50 – $5.50 at CrownBet

Melbourne Stars vs. Sydney Sixers

7:25pm local time – Saturday, January 21, 2017 – Melbourne Cricket Ground

If neither the Renegades nor the Hurricanes win, Sydney Sixers will be guaranteed a semifinal slot no matter what and could even bolt into the top two.

But if either or both of those sides get up to create a tie on eight points, Moises Henriques and company will have to win to stay alive.

That’s because their poor net run rate would see them lose out if several teams finish tied on eight points.

Whatever the scenario come kick-off, the Sixers will be eager to show significant improvement on their last effort – a pitiful eight-wicket defeat to Sydney Thunder in which they posted 9/99 batting first.

The Stars also have amends to make after copping a right hiding at the hands of Brisbane Heat earlier this week.

They still hold second spot, but a heavy defeat to Sydney and a big win for one of the teams outside the top four could end their season.

A win, on the other hand, would almost certainly sew up a home final at the ‘G.

The upside of Melbourne’s early collapse against the Heat was that it forced Luke Wright to rediscover some touch with a solid 60 not out.

Young Seb Gotch also showed a bit, but this is where the Stars will want the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney and skipper David Hussey to step up and use every bit of their quality and experience to get the job done.

Kevin Pietersen bet specials

KP has provided plenty of entertainment both on and off the field this summer.

Even at 36 years of age, the former England star remains one of the great hitters in T20 cricket.

Some have questioned whether he has the capacity or desire to finish what he starts – a notion he rubbished with 44 not out to secure victory over the Scorchers last week.

Quiney is in great touch, Wright is always a threat and Hussey is still a key contributor in the middle order.

But it’s Pietersen who is undoubtedly the starriest of all the Stars, and the one they will turn to for a big match-winning knock.

Man of the match – $8 at William Hill

Most sixes – $4.50 at Bet356

Top Stars runscorer – $3.25 at William Hill