Scorchers vs. Sixers 2016-17 Big Bash final tips, odds & news

The West Australian side has now reached the decider in five out of six BBL campaigns, winning twice.

Having missed out last year for the first time, the Scorchers will be doubly eager to complete the hat-trick this weekend.

They will have do it without their form batsman.

Shaun Marsh found his feet at just the right time of the season, smashing 57 to down Hobart Hurricanes and backing it up with 56 not out in the semi final win over Melbourne Stars.

But the stylish lefty won’t feature in the final, as his return to touch has earned him a call-up for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy ODI series in New Zealand.

Cameron Bancroft and Hilton Cartwright – both of whom have senior caps for Australia – are the chief candidates to step into the XI.

Sydney Sixers had a much tougher route into the final.

A beautifully made 64 from Moises Henriques had the men in pink cruising until Ben Cutting’s stingy final over forced a tie on 167.

But the Queensland seamer couldn’t repeat those heroics in the super over as Henriques blasted his side into the title fight and took his match tally to 82.

The only selection question for the Sixers is who will replace Colin Munro.

The Kiwi slogger made a brisk 23 at the Gabba, but the Black Caps have called him home for the upcoming one-day series.

That could result in a call-up for Jordan Silk, who hasn’t featured in the starting XI since the win over Melbourne Renegades on January 9.

The other option might be Ryan Carters, although the keeper-bat has only featured once in BBL06.

Mitchell Johnson bet specials

Marsh made the runs, but it was Johnson’s incredible four-over spell at the start of the semi final that did the real damage.

The former Australia quick recorded a phenomenal three wickets for three runs, dismissing Rob Quiney first ball of the innings and ousting Luke Wright a few deliveries later.

He also jagged the crucial wicket of Kevin Pietersen – one he celebrated with particular vigour.

Mitch has looked a revitalised player since taking over opening duties from David Willey – away with England – midway through the season.

Jhye Richardson and Andrew Tye are both seriously capable seamers, but Johnson is the one who could end the Sixers’ tilt before it even starts.

Most wickets vs. Abbott and Tye – $2.75 at CrownBet

Top Scorchers wicket-taker – $3.50 at William Hill

Top match wicket-taker – $5.50 at William Hill

Man of the match – $13 at CrownBet

Moises Henriques betting markets

This is a man who turns up when it counts.

Henriques has an outstanding record with the bat in Big Bash playoff matches: 238 runs in five bats, not including his effort in Thursday’s super over.

Even more impressive is his strike rate in title deciders.

The Portuguese-born New South Welshman has played in two, hitting 70 and 77.

The first of those came in a win over Perth Scorchers in the very first BBL grand final.

Top Sixers runscorer – $4.50 at Sportsbet

To score 50 – $5.50 at William Hill

Man of the match – $11 at Sportsbet

To score 100 – $41 at William Hill

Scorchers vs. Sixers BBL match tips

It’s a battle of the grinders.

Neither of these sides has batted especially well throughout the series, yet they have done enough to reach the big dance.

It may come down to the bowlers.

The Scorchers have a wonderful pace trio in Johnson, Richardson and Tye, while the Sixers have wickets in Abbott and great nous in the likes of Ben Dwarshius and Johan Botha.

The Sixers won when these teams met at the SCG early in the season, but we fancy the Scorchers to farewell the Furnace in style with title number three.

Match result – Perth Scorchers ($1.80 at Bet365)