The Hundred Tips Game 15: Buttler to take down weak Brave

Southern Brave v Manchester Originals
Thursday 18 August, 19.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Team news

Brave have lost Chris Jordan for the season. Already without Tymal Mills for the campaign and George Garton not at his best post-Covid, it is clear why they have struggled to defend their title.

Possible XI: De Kock, Vince, Davies, Stoinis, David, Whiteley, Fuller, Garton, Ahmed, Lintott, Hogan

This is likely to be Sean Abbott's final Originals appearance before leaving for Australia duty. There'll be glad to see the back of him with an economy rate of 11. Originals have struggled with the ball and Fred Klaasen and Andre Russell have been as expensive.

Possible XI: Salt, Buttler, Madsen, Russell, Evans, Stubbs, Walter, Hartley, Abbott, Parkinson, Stanley.

Pitch report

The first-innings scores at the Rose Bowl in The Hundred from both seasons are: 147-107-134-144-128-151. It has not been a venue for big runs, then. Originals are the third most-pricey team in the field so a short of the runs par line may be best served with them batting first. The runs par line is here.

How to play

Brave are 1.9420/21 against Originals who are 2.0421/20. The big odds on Brave reflect their fall from grace. The champions should be trading at shorter given Originals' one win this season. Brave have only one win themselves but at least they have pedigree and there is evidence they know how to strategise these matches. That's not so with Originals. Bet the match odds here.

Tops value

Jos Buttler has been boosted to 12/5 for top Originals bat and he should be dangerous against a weakened attack. Andre Russell catches the eye at 11s considering he batted at No 4 last time. James Vince is boosted to 11/4 for Brave. Bet Sportsbook markets here.