Big Bash Tips Matches 17 and 18: Abbott back to inspire Sixers

• Strikers reliant on Matt Short

• Heat missing three key players

• Overton all-round show

• Abbott clear top bowler value 

• Renegades light on batting

Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat
Tuesday 31 December, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat Big Bash tips

Concerns are beginning to grow about the Strikers batting after two defeats in two. They seem overly relaint on Matt Short who top-scored in both games and the burden of carrying the rest of his team-mates could take a toll.

Short's 63 was all that was keeping them in the chase against Heat on Saturday and in their previous match against Melbourn Stars he stood alone with a fifty. The flat Adelaide surface should help but looking at their possible XI it's not clear who else is going to step up.

Batter Alex Ross has been added to the squad but they need more from Chris Lynn and Jason Sangha. Prices of 11s and 80s about Jamie Overton and Hasan Ali for top Strikers bat are tempting.

Overton could become increasingly important and playing overs on his performance line at 34.5 at 5/61.84 makes sense. He has beaten the mark (one point per run, 10 per catch and 20 per wicket) in 12 of his 18 Bash matches in the last two years. He should get a bat at No 6 and is a win-rate option at 4s for top bowler.

Heat are depleted somewhat. Nathan McSweeney, Shaheen Afridi and Tom Alsop are all out injured. Xavier Bartlett is skipper and his is value at 11/43.75 for top Heat bowler with Afridi still listed.

Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers
Wednesday 31 December, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers Big Bash tips

Sydney Sixers are the surprise package of the Bash. Surprising because they have been so bad with one win in four and a real battle to even make the play-offs, let alone the top two.

Babar Azam has been disappointing with one score of note, Moises Henriques looks past his best and Ben Dwarshuis hasn't quite delivered. They were boosted by the return of talisman Sean Abbott for defeat by Stars and he is the betting focus.

Abbott has a win rate of 37% on top Sixers bowler in the last two years (16 matches) so we are happy to have a bang on Sportsbook's 7/24.50 that he wins. He has 18 wickets in 14 against Renegades.

Renegades have lost two out of three and are bottom of the table. But both losses came against Hurricanes so it could be they are in a false position. A bit like Strikers their batting leaves a lot to be desired. Big-price wins for Hassan Khan or Will Sutherland on top bats are possibilities at some stage.

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