It’s that wonderful time of the year again. The Big Bash is back for another fever pitched Aussie summer and this year’s competition promises to be the best yet.
Let’s get right into it and check out the outright market with thanks to the useful resource that is odds.com.au
Really not too many surprises here. Both Sydney teams have been ordinary for the most part of the tournament history while both Melbourne teams are often highly spruiked.
Perth come in as favorites but the conjecture around Mitch Marsh and the role he might play in the Aussies remaining Ashes campaign will impact the Scorchers in a measurable way. Certainly playing in WA is a help while the Heat do not have the depth to be the price that they are.
Big Bash 2017/18 Squads
Below are the confirmed members of each squad as at Wednesday the 13th December some five sleeps from night one of the Big Bash. Also, a quick comment on each squad from our point of view that is worth noting.
Adelaide Strikers squad
Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Jono Dean, Travis Head (c), Colin Ingram (South Africa), Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Michael Neser, Liam O’Connor, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Jonathan Wells.
Dunk and Richardson are two decent outs for the Strikers. Ingram and Khan are solid but not like for likes. They’ve got enough firepower to win some games but hard to see them having the depth to reel off multiple wins on the trot to take out a tournament like this.
Brisbane Heat squad
Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Jason Floros, Cameron Gannon, Sam Heazlett, Shadab Khan (Pakistan), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (c, New Zealand), Jimmy Peirson, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mitchell Swepson, Mark Steketee, Cameron Valente.
$6 with some corporates seems awfully short. McCullum has been in very poor form, Lynn hasn’t played much cricket and will miss games early while the bowling attack will be tested, particularly, away from the Gabba. Joe Burns is in good touch and profiles as an ‘anchor’ for the Heat. Good value most team runs and a smokey for most runs in series at $101 (UBET).
Hobart Hurricanes squad
George Bailey (c), Jofra Archer (West Indies), James Bazley, Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Hamish Kingston, Ben McDermott, Simon Milenko, Tymal Mills (England), David Moody, Tim Paine, Jake Reed, Sam Rainbird, Tom Rogers, Clive Rose, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade.
We’ve got the Canes’ in a similar boat to the Strikers. Certainly don’t think the price gap between the two should be so large but not in a hurry to go and back them to win either. George Bailey is proven, in good touch and clearly the most likely top run-getter in the squad. Couldn’t talk you out of $26 for most runs in the competition.
Melbourne Renegades squad
Aaron Finch (c), Dwayne Bravo (West Indies), Tom Cooper, Marcus Harris, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), James Pattinson, Kieron Pollard (West Indies – replacement), Kane Richardson, Matt Short, Will Sutherland (rookie), Chris Tremain, Guy Walker, Beau Webster, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth.
Great squad! Top pick for us. Really like the balance they have. Allrounders, batting bolters, batting anchors, experience and wicket takers. Team to beat and can’t wait to see what starting 11 they go with! They’ve only made the semi-finals once before but we think that will change this year.
Melbourne Stars squad
Michael Beer, Scott Boland, Jackson Coleman, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, John Hastings (c), Ben Hilfenhaus, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen (England), Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Dan Worrall, Luke Wright (England), Adam Zampa.
Plenty of talent here. They are a leading chance and possess a really interesting squad that only needs to strike some balance to contend. Maxwell should be with the Test squad but will end up being a big weapon for the Green Machine if he can play most of the series. How good of touch is KP in? Could be a candidate to chew balls up! Keep an eye on the Handscombe situation, the $151-$201 for most runs in series could be worth a flyer if he gets sent ‘home’.
Perth Scorchers squad
Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Voges (c), Sam Whiteman, David Willey (England)
Ultra consistent squad. Have never missed the semis and only ever missed the final once! They bring another strong squad and no doubt playing at the WACCA is a nice weapon to have up their sleeve. The Marsh brothers and how much Cricket they play in orange will be the key to their success. Short enough for now but we want them on our side at some stage if possible.
Sydney Sixers squad
Sean Abbott, Sam Billings (England), Jackson Bird, Johan Botha, Ben Dwarshuis, Mickey Edwards, Jack Edwards (rookie), Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Steve O’Keefe, Jason Roy (England), Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc, Henry Thornton.
Not in the same league as the top three teams and right in the ‘throw a blanket’ over them group of the Strikers, Heat, Hurricanes and Sixers.
Sydney Thunder squad
Fawad Ahmed, Aiden Blizzard, Jos Buttler (England), Pat Cummins, Andrew Fekete, Callum Ferguson, Ryan Gibson, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher (rookie), Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Mitchell McClenaghan (New Zealand), Clint McKay, Arjun Nair, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Gurinder Sandhu, Shane Watson.
It’s pretty marginal, but, on our ratings they are the worst team in the BBL for season 2017/18. The bad news for fans is that they have already finished last (wooden spooners) four times in the tournament’s history. No Andre Russell this year (rules violation) and not enough to get excited about.
Big Bash 2017/18 Bets
Happy to LAY the Brisbane Heat @ $7 (Betfair) to win half a unit – they should be double figures.
BACKING the Melbourne Renegades @ $6.50 ( 1 unit bet) and smaller bet Melbourne Stars @ $6.50 (0.75 unit bet) also.
At some stage during the tournament, I’d love to get the Scorchers on my side but waiting for the Mitch Marsh situation to play out a bit further.
They also don’t play a game at the WACCA until Boxing Day so happy to bide our time before hopefully backing them at $5 plus and riding out with who we believe to be the best three teams on our side.
Lots of player props we will dabble on if we can get set – we will post these before each game as well but certainly want to grab the $101 for Joe Burns most runs in the tournament. (0.15 EW with UBet)
Follow us on Twitter throughout the tournament for tips, discussion, and betting banter!
Good punting,
