The domestic T20 competition concluded in South Africa on Monday but as is the modern cricketing world another begins in Australia on Tuesday when the 2019-20 Big Bash League gets underway, with eight franchises once again battling it out for the title.
The Melbourne Renegades did just that last year and they will be out to make a successful defence of their crown but the sides look strong than ever this year so this could be the toughest title to win of the nine.
Recent Winners
2018/19 – Melbourne Renegades
2017/18 – Adelaide Strikers
2016/17 – Perth Scorchers
2015/16 – Sydney Thunder
2014/15 – Perth Scorchers
2013/14 – Perth Scorchers
2012/13 – Brisbane Heat
2011/12 – Sydney Sixers
The Format
We have had another format change for this ninth season of the Big Bash League. This time though it comes in the setup of the playoff format which introduces an extra team to the party. The top five now make it through to the playoffs after everyone has played each other twice in the regular season. The top two teams get two chances to go through to the final while it will be knockout cricket right from the start for the other three teams who make it through to the postseason. There are 61 matches for us to enjoy in all.
The Favourites
Brisbane Heat are all the rage to regain the title this season. The addition of AB de Villiers is the chief reason for that although it should be said he is only around for the second half of the season for the 9/2 favourites. Tom Banton is another decent signing while Chris Lynn, Ben Cutting and Ben Laughlin are all good players in this competition. They will see little of Joe Burns, Marnus Labaschagne and James Pattinson though. If they are going to push for the title they need to find a way to defend their home ground.
It almost beggars belief that the Melbourne Stars have yet to win this tournament but they will begin another tilt at the title as 11/2 pokes. Glenn Maxwell is back from his time away from the game to lead the side and with him out of Australian contention right now he’ll be a big player. Pat Brown, Sandeep Lamichhane and Dale Steyn will share overseas responsibilities while the Perth duo of Hilton Cartwright and Nathan Coulter-Nile are good additions to the squad. Marcus Stoinis could make a big impression too but he might need to as their batting looks a touch light.
Melbourne Renegades are 6/1 shots to defend the title but there is a case to be made for them looking even stronger this year. They have got Harry Gurney for the whole season while Mohammad Nabi is around for lots of it. Aaron Finch is not in Test contention so he’ll only miss a short spell of the event too. Shaun Marsh is an eye catching addition while Kane Richardson is a class act in Australian domestic cricket. Michael Klinger knows all about winning titles as a player and now he’ll look to do so as a coach of the Renegades.
The Contenders
Adelaide Strikers are also a 6/1 shot to win the title which they won two years ago. In Rashid Khan they have arguably the leading overseas player in the tournament, while Phil Salt could be a sleeper in the competition. The Strikers are unlikely to see much of Travis Head in the early stages of the event though but Peter Siddle falling out of the Australian picture is no bad thing for them. If they have the batting power and depth to put up regular good scores this could once again be a decent campaign for the Strikers, who don’t lack for bowling options.
Hobart Hurricanes are 7/1 shots to finally get their hands on this title but they won’t be helped by Matthew Wade missing the first month or so of the competition while he is on Test duty. They needed some firepower to go along with George Nailey, D’Arcy Short and Ben McDermott and have found it in David Miller but they don’t look the best side with the ball with Jofra Archer not able to return due to international duty. If they can find a good unit with the ball the Hurricanes could push for fifth but I think they’ll struggle unless they can chase in most of their matches.
The Perth Scorchers are the leading side in the history of this tournament having won the crown three times in four years from the 2013/14 season but the stars of old have left Perth either for pastures new or for other ventures and they are left with a squad which looks like it needs this season to rebuild a little. I like their two overseas players in Liam Livingstone and Chris Jordan but their batting looks a little on the light side and Andrew Tye missing the campaign with injury isn’t going to do them any favours. Even 7/1 doesn’t interest me here.
Outsiders
That leaves us with the two Sydney sides as the outsiders with the Sydney Sixers beginning the tournament as 8/1 shots. They will have some of their international players available for the first time in ages later in the competition but it could be a struggle until then. James Vince was in good form in South Africa recently and there are plenty of players with potential in this Sixers squad. That potential needs to be turned into performances though if they are going to have anything like a competitive season.
Sydney Thunder are the outsiders of the lot at 9/1. You often know your fate with the Thunder Nation from an early stage because their campaigns tend to be all or nothing. Alex Hales and Chris Morris are top class operators at this level while Usman Khawaja has an incredible record in domestic limited overs cricket so his fall away from the Test side is an undoubted boost for the Thunder. The additions of Alex Ross and Chris Tremain look smart ones too so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a decent campaign from the Thunder but I’d need to see the evidence on the pitch before I can commit to it.
Outright Betting
When you consider that Aaron Finch only played half of the season last year and that Shaun Marsh has been added to the Melbourne Renegades squad there is a genuine claim that they look stronger in their attempt to defend the title than they were when they won it for the first time, and with that in mind the 6/1 on them to keep the title looks a little big to me. The Renegades are loaded with spin options which I always think is a good thing and they might have the best two death bowlers in the competition as well. They certainly don’t lack for batting power so the men in red tick every box.
I get the raving reviews of the Brisbane Heat with their top three as scary as they come when de Villiers is there but their bowling is an issue, especially at home where we’ve seen before that any score is chasable. I’ve a hunch that the Thunder will be better than their odds suggest but my main fancy is the Melbourne Renegades and I’m happy to get on them at a big looking 6/1.
Finish Bottom
The other end of the scale will be interesting this year because with five places available in the playoffs you’ll have to be next to useless to be cut adrift from that battle too early, so we could see a side competing for the top five who feel the pressure and end up coming bottom, it could well be that tight. I don’t think there will be much between fifth and last this season I have to say.
The Perth Scorchers finished bottom last season but they had a ridiculous run with injuries and players called up by Australia which can’t happen again while the Adelaide Strikers look a bit more competitive. Hobart Hurricanes topped the table last season but they could go the other way this term. Their success was built around the 592 runs of Matthew Wade and the 18 wickets of Jofra Archer. The former won’t be around a lot and the latter isn’t involved at all. Were D’Arcy Short to have a poor campaign the Hurricanes could do likewise. At 15/2 I’ll pay to see where their season ends.
Tips
Back Melbourne Renegades to win BBL 09 for a 3/10 stake at 7.00 with Boylesports
Back them here:
Back Hobart Hurricanes to finish bottom for a 2/10 stake at 8.50 with BetVictor
Back them here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2019
