T20 Big Bash tips by Richard Mann: Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades
Richard Mann previews the forthcoming action in the Big Bash and has a found a couple of bets to go to war with.
Recommended bets: Big Bash, January 16-18
2pts Jordan Silk top Sydney Sixers runscorer at 6/1
1pt Anton Devcich Man of the Match in Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder game at 14/1
Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades (16 Jan)
The Melbourne Renegades visit the Sydney Sixers on Wednesday on the back of a heavy defeat to the Brisbane Heat but they have played some decent cricket of late, winning their previous two, and should continue to show up well for the remainder of the competition.
With Aaron Finch spending most of the summer on international duty and Dwayne Bravo having left for rivals Melbourne Stars at the start of the season, the cupboard looked pretty bare at the Renegades but they have responded well to win four matches already and currently sit just outside the playoff places.
With bowlers Usman Shinwari and Cameron Boyce leading a streetwise attack which also features the experienced Kane Richardson, the Renegades will be hopeful of picking up another crucial victory against a Sixers outfit who have manoeuvred themselves to third spot in the table despite enduring a stuttering start to the tournament with the bat.
The hosts haven't totally addressed those issues - despite the arrival of Englishman James Vince - and up against a smart Renegades attack, don't be surprised if the Sixers lose early wickets again. With that in mind, I'm keen to back Jordan Silk to top score for the hosts at 6/1.
The ever-reliable Silk has once again been one of the Sixers stronger performers, amassing 207 runs from number five at an average of 34.50, putting him in second on the Sydney run charts this season.
An experienced accumulator who been a cornerstone of the Sixers batting for a number of years now, Silk has made a habit of rescuing his side after early casualties and has top scored for the hosts three times in eight matches this term.
Silk ought to be at a considerable disadvantage in this market given he bats at number five and is likely to face fewer balls than many of his batting colleagues, but the Sixers' frailties at the top of the order clearly opens up enough opportunities for him to prosper, and 6/1 appeals as being very fair.
Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder (17 Jan)
Brisbane Heat's much-vaunted batting line-up has finally clicked into gear with Brendon McCullum making three fifties in the last three matches and Chris Lynn pushing hard for a recall into Australia's ODI side, and they could prove a very dangerous opponent in the coming matches.
The Heat actually got the better of the Sydney Thunder when they met recently but only after Duckworth-Lewis was called upon following persistent rain that forced the match to be abandoned.
The Thunder were far from out of the match on that occasion and with Jos Buttler having now joined up with England, they will have been pleased to see captain Shane Watson return to form with a half-century in their recent victory over the Adelaide Strikers.
The Thunder are more than capable of causing a minor surprise here but 11/10 about them looks about right and I'm keen to take a chance on Anton Devcich at 14/1 for Man of the Match honours.
Following the departure of Buttler and Root, New Zealander Devcich has been drafted in by the Thunder and given his impressive exploits on the T20 circuit all around the world, his capture looks a shrewd one.
An aggressive opening batsman who can bowl canny medium-pacers, Devcich started his Big Bash season with a typically fluent 21 from 12 balls against the Strikers before picking up a wicket with the new ball.
A real T20 specialist, he is always hard to keep out of the game and looks worth a bet at the prices.
Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes (18 Jan)
The Hobart Hurricanes have been the stand-out side in the competition so far, losing only once, and they produced another imperious display when routing the Melbourne Stars on Monday.
They will be full of confidence ahead of their visit to the Perth Scorchers but the hosts will be no pushovers, particularly on their home patch.
The Scorchers are the most successful side in the history of this competition and following a terrible start to the current campaign, they have started to look much more like their old selves in winning their last two.
With Ashton Turner impressing with the bat and the strong pace attack beginning to hit their straps, they might be ready to push Hobart hard, for all the likes of D'Arcy Short and Jofra Archer will always ensure the visitors are a frightening proposition.
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