Big Bash Tips Matches 19 and 20: Big Show set to deliver big win at 9/2

• Hobart underrated versus Scorchers

• Perth have consistency concerns

• Afridi out of tournament

• Stars looking strong

• Maxwell top-bat time

Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers
Thursday 1 January, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers Big Bash tips

Champions Hobart Hurricanes have pretty much started from where they left off last season. It's four wins in five (three in a row) and they could well prove too strong for a Perth Scorchers side which is struggling for consistency.

Scorchers have two wins themselves but they are reliant on their middle order getting them out of the mire. They posted 202 against Thunder despite being 34 for three thanks to Ashton Turner's 99. Previously against Heat they were eight for one but went on to smash 257. However, in a major red flag they lost that game.

When these two sides met earlier this season, Hobart handed out something of a lesson. They squeezed Scorchers for 150 and then got home with four wickets and three balls left. If the toss goes Hobart's way (chasing is the way to go) then they should deliver on odds of 1.9520/21.

It is a tad surprising Hobart are not shorter. We would expect a sub 1.9010/11 price and the market seems preoccuiped with Perth's legacy. There's nowt wrong with taking the price about Hobart pre-toss. Man for man they are the better team.

Beau Webster is unavailable for Hurricanes due to the Ashes. Charlie Wakim has been added to the squad . Webster's place will probably go to Mac Wright. 

Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars
Friday 02 January, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars Big Bash tips

Brisbane Heat have been haded a major blow with the loss of Shaheen Afridi for the rest of the tournamwnt. The Pakistan pacer suffered a knee cartilage injury against Strikers and will return home for treatment.

Heat will search for a replacement but they have already been hampered by injuries to Nathan McSweeney and Tom Alsop. Both are doubtful for this contest against the league leaders. 

By contrast, Stars are being powered by Afridi's partner in white-ball. Haris Rauf is joint-top wicket-taker in the tournament with team-mate Tom Curran.  Rauf is 11/43.75 for top Stars bowler with Curran 10/34.33. 

Glenn Maxwell is a player of interest at 9/25.50 for top Stars bat. The Big Show was moved up to No 3 for a quick finish against Sydney Thunder. There is a just a chance that they repeat the trick regardless of the match situation.

Maxwell came into the tournament with a 27% win rate in the last two years on the market so we do still have that on side. He has had some good hits against Heat in the past so it could be time to show some faith.

Now read our dedicated Ashes section here.