Cricket: KFC Big Bash – Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades Odds and Betting Preview
Story by George Coombs on 2012-01-17 20:06:08
HOBART, AUSTRALIA – The first game in a double-header of Big Bash League action on Wednesday comes from Hobart as the Hurricanes host the Renegades at the Blundstone Arena. Hobart will hope to secure a home semi-final with a convincing victory in their final league match but will face a dangerous team already out of the running for a place in the knock-out phase of the tournament.
The Hobart Hurricanes are the odds-on 4/5 favourites with Ladbrokes for this tie whilst the Melbourne Renegades are currently available at a standout 6/5 with Stan James.
Hobart have exceeded all expectations with their current league position, as many pundits wrote off their chances before the competition began. The currently lie in second place in the Big Bash League ahead of the Sydney Sixers on net run-rate. They will be desperate to record a win in front of their passionate supporters here to build momentum going forward into the semi-finals, having lost their last two outings. The Hurricanes can boast some of the tournament’s most consistent performers but they will need their bowlers to set up to the mark against an aggressive Renegades batting line-up.
The Renegdaes were one of the pre-tournament favourites to win the inaugural KFC Big Bash League but they have disappointed and currently lie at the foot of the table. They have decided to leave out Shane Harwood and Abdul Razzaq from their final game and will also be without the all-rounder Glenn Maxwell who tore a knee ligament in the field against Brisbane Heat. Melbourne will still have a strong batting line-up which will trouble the Hobart bowling attack.
In the Top Hobart Hurricanes Batsman betting, Travis Birt is the 3/1 favourite with Ladbrokes and BetVictor. He has been is superb touch throughout the tournament and is the leading run scorer amassing 309 runs in the six matches to date. Owais Shah a 7/2 chance with Ladbrokes is the third highest run scorer and was instrumental in helping his side post a large total in defeat against the Stars. Opener Phil Jaques is priced up at 4/1 with Boylesports while Robert Lockyear is an industry best price of 11/2 with Coral.
Brad Hodge is one of the best batsmen in this form of the game and he has been installed at 3/1 with Stan James at the head of the Top Melbourne Renegades Batsman market. Aaron Finch is quoted at 7/2 with Ladbrokes while skipper Andrew MacDonald is 5/1 at William Hill. Shahid Afridi is always a danger with bat in hand and is a 6/1 chance with the same firm while the wicket-keeper batsman, Graham Manou is a massive 25/1 with William Hill and he can score quick runs down the order if others fail.
There are plenty of big hitters on both sides and the crowd will hope for a run-fest with many balls smashed out the park. At present both sides are quoted at 6/5 with BetVictor in the Most Sixes betting while a draw in this market is a 6/1 chance with bet365.
Play begins at 05.00 GMT on Wednesday 18th January and punters can watch all the action via bet365’s excellent online streaming service.
Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades
| 2012-01-18 05:00:00 | ||
| Match Result | Odds | Provider |
| Hobart Hurricanes +0.00 | 8/11 1.72 -138 | William Hill |
| Melbourne Renegades +0.00 | 11/10 2.10 +110 | bet365 |
| Highest Opening Partnership | Odds | Provider |
| Hobart Hurricanes +0.00 | 10/11 1.90 -110 | William Hill |
| Melbourne Renegades +0.00 | 10/11 1.90 -110 | bet365 |
| Team of Top Match Runscorer | Odds | Provider |
| Hobart Hurricanes +0.00 | 4/5 1.80 -125 | William Hill |