Who will win Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers BBL 31st match?
The 31st fixture of the ongoing Big Bash League 2016-17 will see Hobart Hurricanes take on the Perth Scorchers. This penultimate group-stage game is scheduled to be played on January 21 at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Live action is set to start at 4:20 PM local time.
Toss
Four of the previous five BBL matches, including the last three, at the Bellerive Oval have been won by the side that has batted second. So there is a definite toss bias here and the team that wins the toss on Saturday will more likely go for a chase. This is especially since the wicket has been good for batting and determining a safe first-innings total could be difficult.
Perth Scorchers will have the psychological edge of having beaten Hobart Hurricanes the last four times.
Perth Scorchers defeated Hobart Hurricanes the last two times they were up against them at this ground.
Hobart Hurricanes will be playing at their home ground but they have lost four of their last five matches here.
BBL expert tips and predictions
Hurricanes. Teams need to peak at the right point in the season, and it feels like the Scorchers are on the downhill slide from their peak some weeks ago. The ‘Canes aren’t playing brilliantly at all, though I suspect they’ll be least-worst in the first leg of the double-header.
Hurricanes. Once the Renegades win and move to eight points, a Hurricanes win over the Scorchers ensures these two teams both finish on eight points too, along with the loser of the Stars v Sixers game. That’s an NRR smorgasbord.
Hurricanes. Hobart to break the curse of the home ground, as the Scorchers seem to rely too much on Andrew Tye with the ball. The Hurricanes also managed to keep the Melbourne Stars to a very modest total.
Scorchers. If five previous seasons of the Big Bash have told me anything, it’s that the Scorchers know how to time their run for a finals tilt. Expect them to gear up for the semis with a win in Hobart here.