DRAWING big-name players from around the globe, as well as showcasing the best talent that Australia has to offer, the Big Bash League is back and better than ever before.
As the tournament enters year number five, the big question heading into the 2015/16 is, can the Perth Scorchers win their third Big Bash League title in a row?
Let’s take a look at the talking points heading into the new season, who the contenders will be this season and what the best bets are heading into BBL|06.
Big Bash League points of interest heading into the new season
– The Melbourne Stars have made the semi-finals in every Big Bash League season to date, but have never progressed any further.
– The Perth Scorchers have made the final every year since the tournament’s inception, and are currently the only franchise in the sport to have won the BBL title more than once.
– The Sydney Thunder is the only team in the Big Bash League who have never made the finals.
– The Brisbane Heat won the BBL in 2011/12, but have failed to make the finals in any other season.
The main contenders for the 2015/16 BBL season
SafeBookies take a look at the teams that will feature at the pointy end of the season, providing odds on premiership markets, individual player markets and more.
Has your team made the cut?
The Perth Scorchers
Perennial powerhouses, tournament favourites and the reigning Big Bash League champion. The Perth Scorchers have made a habit of making the shortest form of the game their own.
The Scorchers have not missed a final since the tournament began in 2011, with their back-to-back titles in the last two seasons making them the only team in BBL history to have two trophies to their name.
With only two losses to the squad; the Scorchers will be a force to be reckoned with again in BBL15/16, but with the loss of several key players to international duty throughout the summer, they will need to have wins on the board by the time these guys file back into the side.
Even with key players missing for large portions of the season, the Scorchers should still be right there at the end of the season and it would not be surprising to see them do the three-peat.
Big Bash League outright odds: $4.50
To reach the final: $2.63 @ Sportsbet.com.au
Top tournament run scorer: Michael Klinger – $13.00
The Melbourne Stars
Arguably the most-recognisable franchise in the Big Bash League, the Melbourne Stars have failed to make a real impact since the tournament’s inception.
In fact, the Stars have failed to progress past the semi-final stage of the Big Bash League in four attempts – could it be fifth time lucky for the men in green?
Such is the strength of the Stars’ squad, that even with the losses of James Faulkner, Glen Maxwell and potentially Johnathan Hastings to international duty later in the tournament, Melbourne will still be ultra-competitive at the pointy end of the season.
Oh, and having one of the most explosive Twenty20 players in the history of the game by the name of Kevin Pietersen helps too.
This should be the year the Stars make the Big Bash League final, with a strong squad across the board and arguably the best batsman in the league; the Stars have no excuses.
Big Bash League outright odds: $4.50
To reach the final: $2.63
Player to hit a tournament century: Kevin Pietersen – $11.00
The Hobart Hurricanes
With a strong side across the board with no real weaknesses, the Hobart Hurricanes will be a dangerous opponent throughout BBL15/16.
The ‘Canes will potentially lose captain George Bailey to international duty later in the tournament, but with the addition of Kumar Sangakkara to their ranks, their batting stocks look healthy.
A lot of Hobart’s success will be dependent on their strike bowlers’ abilities to find wickets.
Shaun Tait and Jake Reid have speed on their side, but if their radars are even slightly off, they can concede big totals to opposition batsmen. Hobart will be hoping their speed duo can strike early in the innings to get their side off to the best possible start.
The Hobart Hurricanes should be a force in the new Big Bash season and will be one of the title threats.
Big Bash League outright odds: $9.00
To reach the final: $3.50
Top team wicket-taker: Shaun Tait – $4.00
The Melbourne Renegades
The Melbourne Renegades have loaded up on batting power at the top of the order with the number one-ranked international Twenty20 batsman Aaron Finch joined at the crease by West Indian powerhouse Chris Gayle.
Last season the Renegades’ title hopes fell apart when Finch departed for international duty, but with the addition of Gayle to the squad, the men in red should be able to handle their captain’s departure a lot better.
The Renegades were dealt a cruel blow on the eve of the season, with star Callum Ferguson ruled out for the entirety of BBL|06 with an ACL injury.
Although still amongst their ranks, the potential loss of James Pattinson and Peter Siddle due to international duties will hurt, but the addition of spin duo Xavier Doherty and Nathan Huaritz will help mitigate those losses.
The Renegades are expected to be a major player this season and if Gayle can recapture some of his very best form they will be a true contender.
Big Bash League outright odds: $6.00
To reach the final: $2.80
Player to hit a tournament century: Chris Gayle – $5.50
Full outright Big Bash League betting odds
Perth Scorchers 4.50
Melbourne Stars 4.50
Melbourne Renegades 6.00
Sydney Sixers 7.50
Hobart Hurricanes 9.00
Adelaide Strikers 9.00
Brisbane Heat 11.00
Sydney Thunder 12.00
Big Bash League betting promotions
To commemorate the opening of the new Big Bash League season, Sportsbet are offering an unmissable offer throughout the month of December.
Back a team in BBL|06 in December, and if your team scores 160 runs or more and loses, you get cash back; up to $50.
Applies to the first bet on the match betting market. Excludes NSW.
