The Big Bash League is in full swing now and having seen the teams’ performances thus far, it is the perfect time to start picking results for the tournament’s winner, top scorers and wicket takers.
Our friends from The Sporting Base have reviewed the teams and given us their thoughts on who’s likely to claim the top spots.
Hobart Hurricanes – $9.00
The Hurricanes were so close they could taste it last season but it wasn’t to be. If they can produce their best form we expect them to be around the mark again.
Which Batsman To Follow
D’Arcy Short ($1.33) won the competition for most runs scored last season and we expect him to be right there again.
Don’t rule out the ever consistent George Bailey ($26.00) in big games as he will always step up for his teams.
Which Bowler To Follow
With no Archer in the team this season we expect James Faulkner ($2.37) to really step up and take a bag full of wickets this season.
Where They Will Finish: 2nd
Brisbane Heat – $6.00
The Heat have arguably one the best team on paper with some big international quality players such as AB De Vi
The issue with backing the Heat is they will be hot and cold with the likes of James Pattison, Joe Burns & Chris Lynn all amongst the national team lists so be sure to check the team lists each week.
Which Batsman To Follow
Chris Lynn ($1.72) is the big hitter of the competition and will surely be leading runscorer in the majority of games he plays this BBL season.
Which Bowler To Follow
Ben Cutting ($9.00) will be the go-to man for the Heat and with his stats, it’s not hard to see why.
He has taken 54 wickets from 67 matches with a strike rate of 21.
Where They Will Finish: 6th
Perth Scorchers – $9.00
With the likes of Cameron Bancroft Ashton Turner & Mitch Marsh in their squad, the Scorchers look to have a great batting lineup but lack depth when it comes to their bowling attack.
Which Batsman To Follow
It’s difficult to see past Cameron Bancroft, but we will be going with Ashton Turner ($11.00) this season.
He managed 378 runs with an average of 31.50 in BBL08 and we’re sure he will be backfiring this season.
Which Bowler To Follow
Chris Jordan ($1.67) will be making his debut for the Scorchers this season and his talent as a right arm med-fast bowler will see him take a bulk of the wickets.
Where They Will Finish: 8th
Sydney Sixers – $9.00
Moises Henriques and Sean Abbott headline the Sixers lineup and they will be looking to build on their BBL08 season where they made the semi-finals.
Which Batsman To Follow
Daniel Hughes ($8.00) managed to finish as the Sixers’ leading runscorer last season with 339 runs which
Which Bowler To Follow
Sean Abbott ($3.25) is clearly the bowler to follow here and is arguably the best bowler in the competition.
He finished with 22 wickets last season and should finish close to that mark again.
Where They Will Finish: 5th
Melbourne Renegades – $7.00
The Aaron Finch captioned Renegades are reigning champions and will be a very hard team to beat again this season.
Expect them to lose their captain to the one-day squad during the season
Which Batsman To Follow
Sam Harper ($3.75) is always reliable for runscorer betting and after finishing as the Renegades’ top runscorer last season he is sure to be full of confidence and looking to do it again this season.
Which Bowler To Follow
Kane Richardson ($4.00) finished as the league’s top wicket-taker. last season and will be expected to do the same again this season so there’s no doubt he is the bowler to follow here.
Where They Will Finish: 4th
Sydney Thunder – $5.50
Thunder fans would’ve been disappointed with their team’s BBL08 season after just falling short of a finals position.
They have a relatively young squad so if they can string a couple of wins together to grow their confidence then look for them to be big improvers.
Which Batsman To Follow
Captain Callum Ferguson ($3.00) is the
Which Bowler To Follow
Daniel Sams ($1.91) showed his talent last year when finishing as the Thunder’s top wicket-taker and will no doubt be in the mix again but except Ahmed to be close on his heels.
Where They Will Finish: 3rd
Melbourne Stars – $4.20
The Stars were grand finalists in BBL08 but with Maxwell fresh and ready to go after a break and Dale Steyn looking ready to fire in some Yorkers we expect they could go one better this season.
Which Batsman To Follow
Marcus Stoinis ($2.50) was one of the competitions best batsmen last season and we expect him to just hold out Glen Maxwell.
Which Bowler To Follow
After losing Bravo this season the Stars were quick to move on Dale Steyn ($26.00) and we expect his class to rise above.
Adam Zampa is arguably Australia’s best T20 spin bowler so look out for him on a pitch that may spin.
Where They Will Finish: 1st
Adelaide Strikers – $6.50
The Strikers had a disappointing season in BBL08 and it will be hard for them to turn it around this season.
Their worry is Travis Head looks as if he will hold a spot in the test team which will have the Strikers down an important man coming in and out of the squad for most of the competition.
Which Batsman To Follow
Jonathan Wells ($6.00) is the man to follow here after a solid BBL08. He managed 359 runs with an average of 44.87 which if he can improve on will see him as one of the competitions leading run scorers this season.
Which Bowler To Follow
Rashid Khan ($2.37) is an important part of the strikers and is arguably one of the best spin bowlers in the world.
Look for him to be the teams leading wicket-takers week in and week out.
Where They Will Finish – 7th
BBL09 Leading Players
Leading Wicket Taker: Kane Richardson
Leading Runscorer: D’arcy Short ($6.00)
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