Big Bash Tips Matches Nine and Ten: Bat to dominate ball in Adelaide again

• Warner fit again for Thunder

• Chasing key in Canberra

• Expect big runs in Adelaide

• Short strong top-bat chance

Syndey Thunder v Sydney Sixers
Monday 22 December, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Big Bash tips

Thudner have lost their first two matches but they were at least boosted by the return of skip David Warner following a back injury. Not sure No 3 was the best spot for him, though, instead of as an opener.

They may have an issue going forward with their balance. If Warner is beginning to feel the after-effects of a long career (and he hasn't been exactly rocket-fuelled in T20s in the last few years), the top four looks a little dicey. 

Shadab Khan and Sam Billings at Nos 5 and 6 attempted a rescue job against Sixers last time out. In time it could be that Warner returns to open and one of those bats at No 3 instead, trying to act as a pinch-hitter.

They face a Heat side who have successfully done something similar. Jack Wildernmuth's 54-ball 110 from the opening slot against Perth in a chase of 258 has been a Bash sensation. It was quite something for Matt Renshaw's 51-ball 102 to be put in the shade.

Heat will be led by Xavier Bartlett after Nathan McSweeney injured an ankle. Max Bryant is fit despite retiring hurt with a shoulder injury against Perth. Keeper-batter Tom Alsop is expected to play his first game of the season.

The match odds market makes this a choice affair at Canberra. That seems right considering the whopping toss bias for the side batting second at the venue. It's 19 wins from 27 results in night matches. Given these two look well-matched, betting on the chaser post toss is not a bad idea. 

Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars
Tuesday 23 December, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars Big Bash tips

If the Ashes Test is anything to go by, we should expect a run-laden contest at the Adelaide Oval under lights. Hell, the city starved of competitve cricket for more than a week may even finally see a contest.

Strikers and Stars have both begun impressively. Strikers downed Sixers and Stars, until Heat's comeback against Perth, produced the standout performance of the early skirmishes with an eight-wicket win over the defending champs, Hobart.

Adelaide is the best batting wicket in terms of the data in BBL. But Sportsbook are taking a risk with some low match runs quotes. Given Strikers' consistency with runscoring at their home ground playing overs on their line at 165.5 looks cheap at 10/111.91. They've busted it six times in the last ten.

Matt Short on his own turf is a strong prospect for top Adelaide bat. Sportsbook go 12/53.40. Short has a win rate of 44% in the last two years. We swerved him on a trickier pitch against Sixers in the opener but are much happier to be with him on a flat track in his opening role. 

Now read our dedicated Ashes section here.