Khawaja odds and best bets for BBL07 Thunder vs. Renegades

Wednesday, January 24, from 7.40pm at Manuka Oval, Canberra.

THERE’S still hope for an unlikely Sydney Thunder finals berth.

But that hope rests squarely on a win over the Melbourne Renegades on Wednesday night at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The Thunder, after nine matches, sit fifth with four wins and five losses.

If they beat the Renegades, who currently hold the fourth position, they will take their spot on the ladder.

The Thunder would then have to hope that the Renegades’ lose their final two matches to complete the fairytale.

The odds are not in their favour – but while there’s a mathematical chance, Shane Watson’s men will give it everything.

There’s no doubting the Renegades, once the second favourite in BBL07 title betting after a hot start, have missed their captain, Aaron Finch.

Finch, almost rubbing salt in the Renegades’ wounds, has been in blistering form for Australia in the ODI format, top-scoring for the Aussies in all three matches against England with two centuries and a fifty.

The equation is simple for the men in red – win and play finals.

In fact, because the Renegades still have three matches left to play, if they find some late-season form, a home final is still not out of the question.

They’ll have to do well to beat this Thunder line up.

Usman Khawaja has been class since joining the side after the Ashes, while Englishman James Vince has provided another explosive, classy bat at the top of the order.

When you factor in Shane Watson, who is now getting the support he needs and continues to bat well, you’ve got a scary line up.

Will the Thunder get over the line and cap off their home and away season with a win?

Let’s take a close look at the odds and player specials on offer.

Usman Khawaja odds and tips vs. Melbourne Renegades

Khawaja has scored more than 130 runs in his three BBL07 games to date.

In the test arena, the left-hander is known for getting his runs at a slower rate than most, but in the BBL, he plays with freedom and while he’s not the biggest hitter, he’s had no problems finding the gaps.

Khawaja is a man in fine form and presents real consistency and value for punters – let’s take a look at his odds.

Khawaja odds vs. Renegades:

• Top Thunder run-scorer: +230 @ Sportsbet.com.au
• Man of the match: $7 @ Sportsbet.com.au
• Top match run-scorer: $4.50 @ Sportsbet.com.au
• To score more than 24.5 runs: -116.28 @ Sportsbet.com.au

Khawja’s form is no secret and he tops most of these markets.

If you’re confident his form can continue, you’ve got some value here. The $1.86 to score more than 24.5 runs is a great multi-filler, while for the extra return, we’d suggest backing him to score the most runs for the entire match, as opposed to just for the Thunder.

Wicket-taker betting & tips – Thunder vs. Renegades

Sydney Thunder:

Our man Fawad Ahmed delivered for punters when we tipped him in the last game and we’re going with him again.

Ahmed has been one of the most consistent performers in the competition and on an unpredictable Manuka Oval wicket, he could prove a real handful.

Jump on the $3.75 at Sportsbet.com.au.

Melbourne Renegades:

In the absence of Aaron Finch, West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has had to take a more prominent leadership role.

We expect him to lead from the front here and snag a few wickets – he’s due for a bag and will enjoy bowling to the Thunder’s international stars, who he has a good history against.

Bravo is paying +250 at Sportsbet.com.au.