Another season of Big Bash League cricket is upon us and with the competition getting better every year it would only be right to expect the best season of the tournament yet. As ever eight franchises go into battle looking to come out on top in the two month extravaganza.
The Adelaide Strikers struck gold last season and they will be out to defend their title successfully but there are seven other sides itching for their own shot at some glory, making this a fascinating campaign.
Recent Winners
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
There has been another format change for BBL08. There is no more playing some sides twice and others once. Each of the eight sides plays the other seven home and away making up 14 regular season matches for everyone, extending the tournament dramatically. The top four at the end of the regular season go into the semi-finals from where the winners compete for the trophy in the final.
The Favourites
Perth Scorchers go into any season as the favourites to land the title and while it is still understandable to see why, we should acknowledge that a lot has changed since last year. Justin Langer is now the Australia coach so he has vacated his position with the Scorchers and the franchise have left the WACA for Perth Stadium, which could have a huge impact on them. Their squad seems fairly settled and their bowling attack looks top notch on paper but Shaun Marsh being away for much of the tournament may not help them. At 4/1 I respect them but they are too short for me.
The defending champions Adelaide Strikers are the 6/1 joint second favourites on the best prices. You have to respect their bowling attack as well, especially as it contains Rashid Khan who could be the main man this season. One area of doubt comes with the bat where Travis Head will miss almost all of the tournament and Alex Carey will be away with Australia at certain parts of the competition. That is a bit of an issue for a team who look short of firepower if Colin Ingram doesn’t get cracking.
Brisbane Heat begin the tournament as the 6/1 joint second favourites with the Strikers. If they are to triumph this season then they are going to have to overcome Daniel Vettori’s terrible record as coach in this format. Chris Lynn is a relatively inexperienced captain and while much is made of the ‘Bash Brothers’ aside from that they don’t have much and at The Gabba they don’t really have home advantage because the wicket is so good.
The Contenders
Amazingly the Melbourne Stars are still looking for their first title. They have had some amazingly strong squads over the course of this tournament but they haven’t been able to get the job done. One reason for that is the amount of players they lose when the Tests finish and the ODIs begin. They could lose Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis for a week during this tournament but that might only be a couple of matches. The injury to Nic Maddinson was a blow but if they can find some top order runs I don’t think they’ll be far away come the business end of the campaign.
Melbourne Renegades are the same price as their city rivals but it is so much harder to put up a case for them. Aaron Finch has been their lynchpin in recent seasons but with him being in the Test side, the Renegades are going to see even less of him than they usually do. Marcus Harris will be away for the Test periods as well which isn’t helpful. There looks a lack of runs in this team without that pair so I’m not interested at 7/1.
Hobart Hurricanes were beaten in the final last year but they are 15/2 to go one step further this year. They have brought in James Faulkner to strengthen their bowling resources but they are not going to see a huge amount of Tim Paine this season. On the flip side D’Arcy Short should be around for most of it but the loss of Dan Christian could be a blow. Jofra Archer could be a bigger star this year. They should go well enough but they could be found wanting at the crunch.
Outsiders
Sydney Thunder have usually been the dogs dangly bits or the dogs backside in this tournament and it will be interesting to see which variation we see of them this term. Jos Buttler and Joe Root look appealing signings but they won’t even be there for a month before they leave for the West Indies. Shane Watson will need to carry much of the batting after that unless they see enough of Usman Khawaja or Kurtis Patterson and Callum Ferguson can be on top form. The Thunder are 9/1. They might be better than that but I’m not that interested.
Sydney Sixers are 12/1 to win the tournament for a second time. Their big issue is obvious and it comes in the potential lack of runs. Joe Denly looks a good signing but there is such a lack of depth to the batting in this squad that literally everyone is going to have to deliver. If someone does bat out of their skin then they do have a competitive attack but it is hard to see them winning enough matches with this skinny batting department.
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Betting
Many have expected it to come before now but I fancy this could be the year for the Melbourne Stars. Dwayne Bravo might be a spent force with the ball these days but he adds valuable batting depth down the order and the Stars certainly don’t lack for power at the top of their order which is crucial in this tournament.
They also have an excellent spin duo in Sandeep Lamichhane and Adam Zampa and that will be big as the tournament goes on. Dan Worrall, Scott Boland and Jackson Bird give Glenn Maxwell good bowling options and with Stephen Fleming a canny coach in this format I’m expecting a much improved Stars this time around. This can finally be their year.
Tips
Back Melbourne Stars to win BBL08 for a 2/10 stake at 8.00 with Coral
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