The Adelaide Strikers topped the table in the Big Bash last season but they were unable to build on that when it really counted as they were beaten in the semi-final by the Sydney Thunder. They are back for another tilt at claiming their first title.
Stats
Last Season: Semi-Final (1st in regular season)
Captain: Brad Hodge
Overseas Players: Kieron Pollard & Chris Jordan
Key Player: Ben Laughlin
Best Odds: 15/2 General
Predicted Finishing Position: 5th
Fixtures
Wednesday December 21 – Brisbane Heat (h)
Friday December 23 – Perth Scorchers (a)
Saturday December 31 – Sydney Sixers (h)
Monday January 2 – Hobart Hurricanes (a)
Friday January 6 – Hobart Hurricanes (h)
Tuesday January 10 – Melbourne Stars (a)
Monday January 16 – Melbourne Renegades (h)
Wednesday January 18 – Sydney Thunder (a)
Preview
Players In: Wes Agar, Jake Weatherald, Ben Dunk, Alex Carey, Chris Jordan, Kieron Pollard
Players Out: Alex Ross, Adil Rashid, Hamish Kingston, Gary Putland, Mahela Jayawardene, Alex Keath
The expectation in Adelaide will have increased going into this season but they are without their top bowler from last season as international commitments have restricted Adil Rashid’s participation in the tournament. With Travis Head, their leading batsman last season, likely to be away with Australia for the second half of the tournament too the Strikers need players to stand up.
If the Strikers do have an advantage it comes in the form of having two matches against the side I see as the weakest in the tournament in Hobart Hurricanes but they will need their special players like Ben Dunk, Kieron Pollard, Brad Hodge and Ben Laughlin to stand up and deliver regularly if they are to be semi-final bound once again.
Betting
I always think the Adelaide Oval is a place where the lower order hitters can prosper because of the very small square boundaries and that was certainly the case last year as Travis Head, Alex Ross and Jono Dean put sides to the sword while Brad Hodge was also important down the order.
I expect that trend to continue this season and with Head likely to miss matches I think Brad Hodge is a great price at 7/1 to be the Strikers’ top batsman this season. Hodge nailed a very fast 70 in a warm up match leading into the tournament so any concerns that he might be out of touch have been answered. As captain we know Hodge will play every game barring injury so there is a lot to like about him at the prices.
I’m already on Ben Laughlin to be the top tournament bowler but he is the favourite to be the top bowler for the Strikers. In truth given the potential for injury there isn’t much value in him or the market so I’ll stick with Hodge.
Tips
Back B.Hodge Top Adelaide Strikers Tournament Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 8.00 with Paddy Power
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