Cricket: KFC Big Bash Semi-Final – Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2012-01-21 04:37:06

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – The first Big Semi-final takes place at the WACA on Saturday as the Scorchers host the Melbourne Stars. Both teams will hope to secure a place in the inaugural Big Bash Final and there should be a packed crowd at The Furnace to cheer on the home side, who finished the league on top of the pile. The pitch will be perfect for fast bowlers but the spin demon Shane Warne will be sure to have his say in this important game, where the winner automatically qualifies for the T20 Champions League in India later this year.

The Perth Scorchers are the odds-on 4/5 favourites with Boylesports for the encounter while the visitors, Melbourne Stars can be backed at a general 11/10 price with most firms.

Perth lost their final Big Bash league game against the Sydney Sixers but secured top spot with a superior net run rate. The Scorchers welcome back Herschelle Gibbs and Nathan Rimmington to their squad following their absence, due to injury, from that defeat. The Scorchers had won five consecutive games before that and looked to be building momentum in preparation for the knockout phase. The defeat will have been a set-back and it remains to be seen if they can bounce back against a formidable Stars line-up.

The Stars managed tro secure an unlikely semi-final berth following their third consecutive victory against the Strikers in the final round of league matches. There are a number of the Melbourne side who want to impress national selectors before the squad is chosen for the T20 World Cup that is held in Sri Lanka later this year. Melbourne Stars started the competition very slowly but have hit form at the right time and they boast experienced players in Shane Warne and David Hussey who should both flourish in this high intensity atmosphere. The Stars are set to name an unchanged team which means there will be no room for the Englishman Jade Dernbach and the paceman will be forced to watch the action unfold from the stands.

In the Top Perth Scorchers Batsman betting, Shaun Marsh has been installed as the 3/1 market leader with bet365 while Herschelle Gibbs and Marcus North are quoted at 7/2 with bet365 and Boylesports respectively. North scored a fluent half-century against the Sixers but his efforts were unable to propel his side over the winning line as they lost by a single run.  Liam Davis is generally available at 9/2 and Mitchell Marsh is a 5/1 chance with BetVictor. Paul Collingwood is an injury concern but he and Simon Katich can be backed at 6/1 with Stan James in this market.

There are three men all quoted at 4/1 with Ladbrokes at the top of the Top Melbourne Stars Batsman market and they include Luke Wright, Rob Quiney and David Hussey. Quiney has been impressive at the top of the order while Hussey has shown what a talent he is in this format amassing 243 runs from 176 balls in the competition. Adam Vogues is an 11/2 chance while skipper Cameron white is quoted at 13/2 with the same firm and he look to have finally found some form with bat in hand. If the Stars batsmen struggle Shane Warne has been known to deliver at the crease in occasions and he is a top priced 100/1 at bet365 to top his side’s run-scoring charts this evening.

In the Most Sixes betting, both sides have been priced up at 11/10 in what could be a very cagey affair with no side wanting to throw wickets away trying to clear the boundary fence. A draw in the number of sixes can be backed at a standout 6/1 with bet365.

Play begins at 09.00 GMT and all the action is available via bet365’s excellent online streaming service.

Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars – Match Result Odds
Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars – Top Perth Scorchers Batsman Odds
Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars – Top Melbourne Stars Batsman Odds
Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars – Most Sixes Betting