Game 1 Thunder vs Sixers

Profit 3.01u

Promos NA

We started the tournament off in great style securing just over 3u in profit, this came from the sixers money line bet and both Andre Russell and Doug Bollinger (DH) taking Top team bowler for their respective teams.

This game was on a knife edge at the half way point but thanks to some decent batting and poor fielding the Sixers cruised home in the chase.

Game 2 Strikers vs Heat

Profit -0.4u

Promos 4.99u ($100 Stake bettor)

This is arguably the worst beat we have had this tournament, at 0-133 after 11 overs the strikers were 36 runs (and 2 wickets) in front of where the heat were at the same stage. Strikers were as small as $1.09 to claim victory but then a myriad of wickets and some daft batting by Travis Head meant the heat won.

With our Strikers win bet losing but our total 6’s bet cruising home (in the first innings I might add!) this was a tough pill to swallow but that is the glory of T20 cricket in that any side can win from just about any position.

Game 3 Renegades vs Thunder

Profit 3.47u

Promos 0.02u

This was a rare “train game” the renegades simply dominated from ball one with the bat scoring 179 on what looked like a tricky pitch to get set on. Thunder was bowled out for 140 in reply, the thunder look to be a seriously underpowered team with heavy reliance on Mogan with the bat and Russell/Cummings with the ball.

With the renegades bowling attack one of the best in the comp I was very confident they would cruise past the thunder and hit bigger than them. This meant a strong 3u win bet and a medium stake on Most 6’s which both saluted for us.

Game 4 Sixers vs Hurricanes

Profit -3.00u

Promos 1.25u

This was a dominate performance from the Hurricanes which was unexpected to say the least. I have the Hurricanes as one of the bottom 2 teams in the tournament so a strong stake on the sixers looked the right play. Unfortunately a poor bowling performance and stunning batting display proved the 200 run total too much to chase for the sixers.

This was a poor game for me as without seeing the hurricanes play before in hindsight I should have gone a little lighter from a staking point of view. With that being said since this game the hurricanes have lived up to my expectations of being a poor team.

Game 5 Scorchers vs Strikers

Profit -1.50u

Promos -0.65u

Another very one sided game, after getting Klinger for 1 in the first over it was all the way of the strikers posting a big total at the WACA of 197 and hitting 8 sixes the game was over for subscribers.

The strikers were never in the hunt chasing losing both openers for the contribution of just 1 run, a consolidation from Hodge with 56 off 33 and some late hitting from Richardson with 4 sixes gave the strikers a flattering total of 149.

Game 6 Hurricanes vs Stars

Profit 2.88u

Promos 8.00u

An interesting game with Paine scoring a brilliant 91 supported by Bailey with 74 (two man batting team) the hurricanes blasted to 188. In reply the stars never looked in doubt with Rob Quiney and Luke Wright’s opening stand of 88 off 8.3 overs the rest was a formality.

Good to see the stars get an early win and play at a different level, this side looks to have far too much “star” power to not win the tournament. Maxwell’s supporting knock of 58 off 29 was superb in that he didn’t try too many interesting shots and just blasted the ball where he wanted.

Game 7 Sixers vs Scorchers

Profit -3.07u

Promos -0.59u

With late news that Roy was out with a back spasm as well as Hughes not getting up with his hamstring niggle this looked like the game was just a formality. Unfortunately the Scorchers just lost consistent wickets thanks to some brilliant spin bowling and good fielding. With the Scorchers stumbling to 130 the game was over after Billings made 40 off of 30 opening.

What did rub salt into the wound for subscribers is as well as a large stake on the Scorchers we also bet Scorchers most 6’s which was foiled by Botha in the last over of the match when he cleared the boundary by what looked like 2 feet.

Game 8 Thunder vs Heat

Profit 1.41u

Promos 0.69u

This was a great game with the thunder scaping to 157 and then taking steady wickets in the second innings it looked like the thunder would take the cake. However just like last year Lynn wasn’t having any of it and blasted his way to 85 off 48 with great support from Wildermuth (29 off 20).

The Heat won in what has been our only lucky escape this tournament, Lynn looks in fantastic touch which is good news for our future on him for top heat scorer.

Game 9 Renegades vs Scorchers

Profit -2.00u

Promos -1.00u

With the scorchers struggling against spin my play was on the Renegades which I would happily do again. Renegades got to 148 which was slightly below par on what looked like another tricky spin friendly wicket.

Unfortunately Klinger played yet another great innings and proved he wasn’t too old to perform yet again in the BBL, with 72 off 55 he out together a match winning performance. Scorchers looked to be cruising and with Bravo out injured with 3 overs remaining Finch had to find another bowler so he bowled himself. He bowled 11 fantastic delivery’s that got the renegades back within sight of a comeback victory, with 3 needed off the last ball Finch succumbed to the pressure and produced a full toss that was hit over the boundary for 6.

This game has to be the worst I’ve felt in a long time, with plays on renegades win high 6 and most 6’s two of these 3 bets lost on the last ball of the game meaning a loss for subscribers.

Game 10 Heat vs Hurricanes

Profit 2.15u

Promos 0.60u

Once again the Hurricanes put on a decent total of 173 but it looked 20 short on what was a very flat batting wicket. Consistent wickets is what kept this total down and its something the Heat haven’t been able to do in the past, with this new found bowling prowess they could prove a danger at the deep end of the tournament.

In the chase Lynn and Big Mac just destroyed Hobart, the highlight of the match for me was Mark Waugh stating that Tait is too quick for Lynn to just line up. With the next ball from Tait exiting the ground of the Gabba and going onto the road I thought it was hilarious how someone like Jnr is on the nation’s selection panel.

Game 11 Strikers vs Sixers

Profit -3.00u (-4.00u if you have a 365 account)

Promos -1.27u

Sixers won the toss and sent the strikers into bat (scars from last NYE game I’m guessing), the strikers started off brilliantly and piled on 8 sixes making our pre match total 6’s bet look the goods needing 14 or 12 depending on your bookmaker availability.

Unfortunately the sixers imploded with what was the best batting line up they have had all year they failed to make the below par score of 150 and were bowled out for 104. For subscribers this was sickening to watch as the sixers only managed 3 sixes meaning we lost 3 units for the game.

BBL so far

Profit -1.05 units

Promos +12.04 units

Flip of the coin lucky wins/bad beats

Strikers win vs Heat traded as low as $1.09 but didn’t win.           4.63u Swing
Sixers hitting 6 last over to cost Scorch most 6                               1.50u Swing
Heat win & most 6s thanks to Lynn heroics                                    -4.66u Swing
Scorch last ball 6 to win against renegades                                       5.07u Swing
                                                                                                                  6.54u Total

It seems like this Big Bash we have been on the wrong end, this is just variance however and I’m happy with the position we are in considering the above has gone against us.

What is interesting looking at the results is that we have lost over 6u in the games involving the Sydney Sixers and won 7.89u in games involving the Sydney Thunder.