Player odds & free BBL tips – Brisbane Heat vs. Hobart Hurricanes

Wednesday, January 10, 2018, 7.40pm AEDT, the Gabba, Brisbane.

IF Hobart is going to keep pace with the top four and keep its finals dream alive this summer, the men in purple will have to find a way to beat the rampaging Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on Wednesday night.

Two of the form teams in the competition will do battle and there’s some key contests between bat and ball that will be worth tuning in for.

Sitting as the +325 second favourite in title betting after winning four of their first six matches of the season, the Heat are rolling.

Bash brothers Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn are doing all the damage at the top of the order and when they fail, quality batsmen like Joe Burns, Ben Cutting and Dan Christian have picked up the slack. If their spin bowling continues to capture wickets, the Heat will be hard to stop at the pointy end of the season.

Don’t rule out the men from way down south, paying $11 at CrownBet to go all the way.

The Hurricanes have been a feel-good tale around the league this summer. A team not many had hope for have turned things around after a slow start on the back of some exciting bowling from Jofra Archer and big hitting from D’Arcy Short. If the Hurricanes can steal an unexpected win here, they’ll be within striking distance of finals and could make some real waves.

Where does the value sit in the runs and wicket-taking markets?

Heat vs. Hurricanes most runs player betting

Heat:

Some mystery surrounds BBL superstar Chris Lynn going into this match.

Lynn pulled out of the Australian ODI squad that was to take on England in a five-match series this month, blaming a bad calf. What that means for his status and availability for the Heat remains an unknown.

The big-hitter was already struggling after shoulder surgery and could barely throw and field, so it was surprising to see him selected in the international squad to begin with.

If Lynn plays, we’re backing him to top Brisbane’s runs list at +180 with Sportsbet.com.au.

If he doesn’t, we like the idea of a few cheeky dollars on Alex Ross, who could get some added responsibility and time at the crease – value at +900.

Hurricanes:

We believe in Ben McDermott. After some lean returns early in the season so far, McDermott, who showed his supreme talent in a record-breaking century last season, is overdue for a big innings.

The Hurricanes number three batsmen is paying a healthy $4.50 at Sportsbet and will get every opportunity.

Most wickets betting & tips – Brisbane vs. Hobart

Heat:

Pakistani leg-spinner Yasir Shah has enjoyed a hot stretch of form since joining the Heat squad and we’re backing the good times to continue.

Shah is paying +275 to take the most wickets for the home side.

Hurricanes:

Dan Christian may not be the first player thrown the ball in this Hurricanes team, but he will have an opportunity for a trundle and has the advantage of having played with the Heat batsmen in past seasons.

Expect Christian, $5 at Sportsbet, to be pushing hard to trap a few of his old teammates and using the guile he has become well-known for with the ball.