Adelaide Strikers should be a strong contender for the Big Bash title. But going into their New Year’s eve contest with the Sydney Sixers at home, they are in grave danger of recording a 0-3 start. That would almost certainly consign them to also-rans.
It is peculiar. Last season the Strikers were the strongest team in the group section, taking many by surprise. True, they topped the section the previous year but it could have been considered a flash in the pan. They lost their nerve in the knockouts. There’s no disgrace in that. They gave it a good go, as they say.
The chief reason as to why Adelaide were so strong last year was Adil Rashid, the England spinner. He took 16 wickets to finish second on the overall bowling lists. Unfortunately Rashid is unavailable this time because of England commitments. That’s fine.
So who have the Strikers signed as their No 1 spinner in his absence, bearing in mind that a quality spinner is absolutely crucial to success in t20 franchise cricket? No one. Seriously.
It beggars belief that a franchise could be so derelict in its duty of going to war with a balanced squad. To compound the error – and some may argue this is them getting their just desserts – their best homegrown spin option, Jon Holland, is injured.
Let’s look at how it has impacted their two losses so far. Well, they have conceded massive totals in both of them – 206 against Brisbane Heat and 197 against Perth Scorchers.
On such good batting wickets they were desperate for an established spinner to give them some control. Against the Heat they used five pacers and one batsmen who bowl occasional spin before they turned to ingénue leggie Liam O’Connor, who actually did quite well. But it was too late.
Then against Perth the Scorchers batsmen feasted on their pace attack again. Only three overs of turn were bowled, again by O’Connor. Again he did pretty well.
The Sixers will surely see they have an edge. They will attack the pacers with gusto on a good pitch. And to make matters worse for the hosts they will attack O’Connor to wreck their plans and destroy confidence. It’s basic tactics.
It is also basic tactics for punters to understand where the strength and weaknesses of a sporting team when considering a bet. And in T20 a well-balanced squad with all bases covered, including spin, is a must for any team who has been chalked up as favourites. Otherwise we take them on all day long.
Believe it or not, Strikers are jollies for this one. That’s crazy when they have no spinner of note. Sportingbet go 1.85. Sixers are 2.05 with Unibet, 32Red and 888Sport. That’s a great price about a squad which does have all bases covered.
We will bet against Strikers every time when they are favourites until they solve their spin issue.
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