Perth staked home ground advantage with a strong WACA Ground win over Melbourne Stars on Saturday and take on a fast-finishing Sydney Sixers on Saturday night.
Perth’s unique WACA Ground pace and bounce in their pitch and lightning fast outfield is distinct advantage to the Scorchers.
Perth was a rank outsider at $8.50 to win the series before the start of the tournament back in mid-December and even lost their opening match to Hobart at the WACA.
The Scorchers are $1.68 favourites to beat Sydney at $2.18, according to sportsbet.com.au, despite the Sixers upsetting Hobart in Hobart on Sunday night, with veteran former internationals Brett Lee and Stuart MacGill both shining with the ball.
The Scorchers drifted out to as much $11 to win the title before shortening to $7.00 in late December, went into $4.75 in early January and as short as $3.00.
Perth and the Sixers battled one of the games of the qualifying series when Sydney won by just one run at the SCG on January 18.
The Sixers were also given little hope of success after starting the tournament at $8 outsiders and also drifting out to $11 in early January.
But, since winning four games straight the Steve Smith captained Sixers have shortened through $7.00, to $4.75 and now start Saturday night’s grand final $2.18.
Sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes also likes Perth’s batting power with South African import Herschelle Gibbs, exciting youngster Mitchell Marsh, captain Marcus North and Luke Ronchi.
“Perth has the home track advantage, a potent and in-form batting line-up and a good mix of bowlers so they are deserved favourites,” Hawes said.
“So the question is whether the Sixers can win again as the outsiders?”
Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers – Saturday, 28 January
$1.68 Perth Scorchers
$2.18 Sydney Sixers