Free betting tips & top odds for Thunder vs. Strikers BBL06

That’s a phrase you would’ve laughed at two weeks ago.

Yet after following four straight defeats with three wins on the bounce, the Green Machine could snag the unlikeliest of playoff spots with victory in their final league game of BBL06.

They will rely on other results going their way, but defeats for Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers – both of whom finish with tough fixtures – would give them a real shout.

The Thunder were superb in their derby rematch at the SCG last weekend, keeping the Sixers to a mere 9/99 from 20 overs.

Fawad Ahmed and Carlos Brathwaite were the heroes, snagging seven wickets between them at a combined economy rate of less than 4.50 runs per over.

Opening bats Kurtis Patterson and James Vince enjoyed a pressure-free hitout and showed some nice touch, but is it too little, too late for the Thunder?

There is no such question mark looming over Adelaide Strikers.

The loss to the Renegades on Monday night left the South Australians to last place and killed off any faint hopes of a last-ditch title tilt.

They have only themselves to blame.

Every man in the Adelaide top seven reached double figures with the bat, yet Ben Dunk’s 32 was the high mark.

If but one of them had passed 40, the Strikers might not have fallen six runs short of the 171 they were chasing.

Now they are playing for pride in what might well be Brad Hodge’s last game in the Big Bash League.

Hats off to the Victorian stalwart, who ranks second only to Chris Gayle on the list of all-time runscorers in Twenty20 cricket.

Carlos Brathwaite betting markets

The Thunder could hardly have dreamed up a better replacement for the injured Andre Russell.

Since joining the squad last week, Brathwaite has collected five wickets in two games at a phenomenal 8.4 strike rate.

Those returns have played a huge part in keeping the Thunder’s season alive.

He hasn’t had much of an opportunity to flex his considerable muscle with the bat, but anyone who saw the final over of the 2016 World T20 final can attest to his capability in that department.

Top match batsman – $26 at Sportsbet

Man of the match – $15 at Sportsbet

Top Thunder batsman – $10 at Bet365

Most sixes – $9 at Bet365

Top Thunder bowler – $4.50 at Sportsbet

BBL06 Thunder vs. Strikers match tips

It’s important to have goals.

The Thunder’s are clear cut: win this and hope for other results to go their way.

They have a big roll on and plenty of players running into something like their best form.

But what do Adelaide have to play for?

The best they can do now is avoid the bottom of the BBL ladder.

Get on the Sydneysiders to make it four in a row and give themselves a shot at a finals slot.

Match result – Sydney Thunder ($1.85 at Sportsbet)

Highest opening partnership – Sydney Thunder ($1.95 at Sportsbet)