The sixth season of the Big Bash League, one of the most popular and best T20 leagues in the world, is less than a week away. Once again eight franchises will compete over six weeks to battle it out for the title which the Sydney Thunder won last season.
Some really exciting overseas imports have been accrued to join up with some of the best domestic players to make up what looks like having the potential to be the best season of Big Bash cricket yet.
Recent Winners
2015/16 – Sydney Thunder
2014/15 – Perth Scorchers
2013/14 – Perth Scorchers
2012/13 – Brisbane Heat
2011/12 – Sydney Sixers
The Format
Each side plays the other seven in the competition once and they play their accrued derby match home and away to make eight regular season games. The top four at the end of that stage go into the semi-finals with first playing fourth and second hosting third. The two semi-final winners meet at the home of the highest placed side in the final.
The Favourites
Melbourne Stars go into the season as the favourites every year but as yet they haven’t managed to win the title. They came as close as they have ever done last season when they made the final but a brilliant innings from Usman Khawaja denied them their first title. Every year the Stars lose big players to international duty which hampers them late on in the competition and for that reason they’re not for me.
Perth Scorchers are twice winners of this tournament and they were on course for three in a row last year until they lost out to the Melbourne Stars in the semi-final. Justin Langer’s side have a method that works and it tends to revolve around their seam bowlers but injuries to a couple of them won’t help. Ian Bell looks a canny overseas signing for the season.
Sydney Thunder are the defending champions and in this format of the game any side that has Andre Russell lining up for them merits more than respect. Usman Khawaja will be a big player when he is around but it remains to be seen how the Thunder cope without Mike Hussey’s experience and leadership.
Contenders
Sydney Sixers are former winners of this title too but they have seen a number of experienced players leave or retire in recent times and it remains to be seen how much their see of their international stars. You would have to think with Australia’s schedule they won’t be seen much which will hurt them.
Melbourne Renegades were under the cloud of controversy created by Chris Gayle last year. He hasn’t been signed again but they have replaced him nicely with Sunil Narine who should complement their bowling attack nicely. Aaron Finch should be around for a while and class acts such as Callum Ferguson, Cameron White and Tom Cooper can make them dangerous.
Adelaide Strikers made it to the semi-finals last year as table toppers but it did them no good as they lost out to the Sydney Thunder in the last four. Travis Head and Adil Rashid were huge players for the Strikers last season and they won’t be around as much this term, or at all in the case of the Yorkshire leggie. They should go well but it is hard to see them being better than last season.
The Rest
Brisbane Heat were the second winners of the tournament and they have made possibly the biggest marquee signing of the campaign having secured the services of Brendon McCullum. He joins Samuel Badree as an overseas player and will add power to an already good batting line up. Their success or otherwise will determine on whether they can find something with the ball.
Hobart Hurricanes are a side who regularly flatter to deceive. Allowing Ben Dunk to go to the Adelaide Strikers looks a strange move on paper and if George Bailey, Dan Christian and Tim Paine don’t have big seasons the Cane Train might struggle to get out of the station.
Betting
I like the look of the Melbourne Renegades this season. They have always had talent with the bat but haven’t had the personnel or the combinations with the ball but they expect to see James Pattinson from the off and the additions of Sunil Narine and Brad Hogg take the pressure off Xavier Doherty in the spin department.
In Dwayne Bravo and Nathan Rimmington they have a couple of solid seam options at the end of the innings and with plenty of batting depth too they look to have all bases covered. I fancy this could be the year the red men secure their first Big Bash title.
Tips
Back Melbourne Renegades to win Big Bash League 2016/17 for a 2/10 stake at 7.00 with William Hill
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