The Big Bash, Australia’s domestic T20, begins on Tuesday and we need to start hoovering up the value with plenty of green-listed bookmakers offering odds on a thrilling tournament.
Eight teams will battle it out in a group stage with the top four oin the points table progressing to the semi-finals.
Perth Scorchers, last season’s winners, have kept their squad together, losing only Ian Bell. Instead Cameron Bancroft, the Aussie Test opener, is expected to come good. That’s an upgrade in our opinion.
We think they are a decent bet to retain at +400 with William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Betway. Every other squad has holes in it and for a team who have won three of the six tournaments played, we think they deserve more respect.
Melbourne Renegades are next best at +500 (Ladbrokes, Coral) but they have qualified for the semis only once so they need a major change in fortunes. Melbourne Stars, usually the jollies, are out at +550 (Paddy Power) and if Perth are too short for you then we would understand that a power-packed squad could be a fair fancy.
Of the rags, we are keeping an eye on Hobart Hurricanes. Their pedigree is poor but they have great fast-bowling stock. The key is who they sign with one more spot in their squad available. Let’s hope it’s a batter of great skill, because it’s what they’re crying out for. If so, the +1200 on Betfair is worth a poke.
Otherwise, here are two more outstanding value selections for the tournament…
Slam Dunk
Ben Dunk top scored in the tourney overall last season when playing for Adelaide Strikers. He has jumped ship to Melbourne Stars for this campaign. So you would expect him to be installed as immediate favourite to top score for the Stars in the Bash, right? Wrong. He’s second favourite, which is a bit of insult.
That’s because bookies are still enthral to Kevin Pietersen, whose powers are on the wane. Dunk should not be missed at +250 (Ladbrokes, Coral).
Rush for Rashid
Rashid Khan is the best limited-overs leg-spinner in the world. But you’ve probably never heard of him. That’s because he plays for Afghanistan. Yet he is hot property in T20. Most Bash franchises would have wanted him but he plumped for Adelaide Strikers and their spin-friendly wicket.
He is a great bet for top tournament bowler at +1400 (William Hill). At the moment he may only miss one game (the final if Strikers get there) but he may not need many games anyway. No one has taken more wickets this year in T20 and he has a phenomenal strike rate of a wicket every 16.2 balls.
Calculators
