While much of the attention in Australia is, rightly, centered on the Ashes series, which will be well underway in game two by the time you read this in Adelaide, the country’s premier domestic offering is quietly busying itself for its biggest year yet.
The Big Bash is one of the most revered of all franchise T20 leagues. It is probably the highest quality of all the leagues which have sprung up over the world in the last few years.
Indeed, it is so competitive that the bookmakers cannot work out where the balance of power truly lies. Consider that just two clicks separate the top five in the betting and you have yourself a hot, hot betting heat. And there are only eight franchises to pick from.
The Perth Scorchers, who are the greatest domestic T20 team ever, head the list. William Hill make them +400 to repeat their title win last season. Perth have a 65 win percentage which is almost eight percent higher than their nearest rival, the Melbourne Stars.
Ordinarily, it is the Stars who are chalked up as favourites. That’s because they spend big on big names. By comparison, Perth have been considered a little unfashionable, stuck out there on the west coast in the most remote city on earth (that’s a fact, folks, check it out).
But guess how many titles the cosmopolitan, fancy Stars have won? Zip. Nada. Perth, since we’re counting, have won three from a possible six. Wow.
These two epitomise T20 franchise cricket for us. Perth are all about planning and preparation, quietly going about their work. Stars give it the big one but always fall short. It’s style over substance.
William Hill and Bet Victor have Stars at +500 second favourites and we can tell you now that’s a poor wager.
Their cross-town rivals, the Renegades, are third in the betting at +550 (888Sport) followed by Sydney Sixers at +500 with Bwin and the Brisbane Heat at +600 at green-listed bookmakers as well.
Next best come the Adelaide Strikers. This is where it starts to get interesting because the Strikers have recruited well. They have signed Rashid Khan, the Afghan spinner. We have talked about Rashid before. He turns average teams into franchise winners and he could well do the same here.
The signature of Colin Ingram, the South African hitter, is also a smart move. The Strikers batting needed bolstering from last term and now that the box has been ticked +800 with Bwin, could see some business.
Sydney Thunder are another mover thanks to the capture of Jos Buttler, the England blaster. They are +1000 with Paddy Power and we can say now that they’ve been overrated, particularly as they won the thing two years ago.
Rags are Hobart Hurricanes. They need to do some tinkering to their squad and we hope they pick up some extra players between now and competition go time. The +1000 with Power will probably be unchanged even if they get the right men in because Hobart are the ultimate in unfashionable.
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