Couch Critic takes a look at each of the teams competing in the Big Bash League and nails up his outright bets with @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

BIG BASH LEAGUE (BBL)

 

Under the current format the 2019/20 version of the Big Bash is the 9th edition of this Australian T20 cricket league. Arguably the most successful and globally recognised T20 event after the IPL, the BBL promises yet another few months of block buster entertainment. Apart from the best of the best that the Aussies have in their own ranks top international stars like Rashid Kahn have also been roped in whilst Saffas can look forward to following the performance of AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, David Miller and Chris Morris.

 

PERTH SCORCHERS

The Quality: Firstly, the Scorchers have the best track record in this tournament. In the eight events the Perth side have made five finals with three titles to their name. Mitch Marsh captains the Scorchers. Chris Jordan and Liam Livingstone have been added as the international flavour – MSL viewers will be well aware of what Livingstone can offer with his willow. Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye and Ashton Turner have all ben part of the Aussie limited overs squads in recent times and I’m expecting a big impact from all of them.

Verdict: Good pace options and some spin. Can Bancroft and Turner get enough runs on the board?

 

SYDNEY THUNDER

The Quality: Another Pom returning from South Africa to add his weight in the BBL is Alex Hales. His fire power at the top could prove vital for the Thunder. Chris Morris is another international who will add his all-round abilities to their charge. Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson are the baggie greens who will be tasked with using their experience to pile on the runs for their team.

Verdict: One struggles to see how the Thunder will have the bowlers to their disposal to get them to the final (or even the knockouts).

 

SYDNEY SIXERS

The Quality: The second Sydney-based outfit is perennially seen as one of the favourites and always have a good crowd following yet after winning in the first year have not been able to replicate this feat since. SA cricket fans will know Tom Curran and James Vince well. Vince comes into the BBL off impressive form in the MSL. Moses Henriques is no longer in the Australian picture but the Sixers’ skipper is sure to be a vital cog in the wheel of this Sydney side. Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith are also squad members but their involvement could be limited.

Verdict: Some decent bowling options in the form of Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Ben Dwarshuis and Curran. Lyon and Stephen O’Keefe are solid spin option. For mind it comes down to how the likes of Jack Edwards, Vince and Henriques can get into their stride this season to ensure big totals can be posted.

 

MELBOURNE STARS

The Quality: Glen Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are the big hitting Aussies that need no introduction in this squad. Ben Dunk is fresh of SA form for the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants and then there is the 19-year-old Nepalese leggie, Sandeep Lamicchane who will be looking to make his mark in Australia. Dale Steyn is also available for a stint. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Hanscomb and Adam Zampa need to keep their names fresh in the minds of the Aussie selectors.

Verdict: One of the more fancied sides for this edition and its not hard to see why. Hanscomb, Maxwell and Stoinis in the middle to lower order leaves the Stars ready to shine. Spin is also clearly well covered but it’s all about who can get them off to a good start with the bat and also a case of whether there is enough assistance for Steyn and Coulter-Nile in the pace department. They will also need to hang on when Maxwell and Stoinis are in India.

 

MELBOURNE RENEGADES

The Quality: The second Melbourne-based side will be led into action by Aaron Finch. Mohammed Nabi and Harry Gurney are the internationals present for the Renegades. Shaun Marsh and Marcus Harris are the solid Australian stars in the batting lineup whilst Dan Christian is another experienced limited overs cricketer.

Verdict: Marsh, Finch and Harris will be big for the Renegades. Their bowlers will really have to step up as they don’t have a lot of proven international quality in this discipline. For mind there is just a bit of a lack of spark on paper from this Melbourne team.

 

ADELAIDE STRIKERS

The Quality: Alex Carey’s shares have sky rocketed of late. The keeper-batsman will again be a vital player for the Strikers. Phil Salt is another import from England tasked with adding some batting depth. Billy Stanlake is a bowler at that stage of his career where he knows his game very well and he should lead the charge with the ball for the Adelaide team. Cameron White’s arm has also been twisted to do duty for the Strikers and bring some much-needed experience. Oh and they have Rashid Khan at their disposal!

Verdict: Travis Head, Michael Neser and Peter Siddle are all involved with the test squad whilst Carey will surely be doing ODI duty later. With these guys missing I’m not sure that the batting department is strong enough or whether Stanlake and Khan can carry the bowling to get their team to the final.

 

BRISBANE HEAT

The Quality: Chris Lynn is the swash buckling batsman at the top of the order ready to bring the fire for the Heat. Ben Cutting is the experienced T20 campaigner and AB de Villiers has also been acquired for a came appearance in Brisbane. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Zahir Khan are the Afghans in the squad whilst Tom Banton is a young Englishman with a growing reputation of giving it a bit of a bash at the top of the order. James Pattinson and Marnus Labuschagne add further test quality.

Verdict: The biggest blow to the Heat’s campaign may very well have been the injury to Josh Hazzlewood. All the talk is that Brisbane will now possibly be without Pattinson for the start of the BBL as he reports for test duty. With their fiery quick missing they may just find that they have some good power in their batting but not quite enough with the ball.

 

HOBART HURRICANES

The Quality: George Bailey is the experienced hand in the batting line-up especially with Matthew Wade away. David Miller has been brought in for some added batting strength. James Faulkner is now a veteran all-rounder who will have to be at his very best for the Hurricanes.

Verdict: Darcy Short, Bailey and Miller could give the men from Hobart a solid enough batting order but they have little else going for them. I don’t see the Hurricanes causing destruction in 2019.

 

BETOLIMP BEST BETS for MSL 2019

To reach the final – Perth Scorchers @4.00

Name the finalists – Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers @21.00

To finish Top 5 – Sydney Sixers @2.00

Tournament Top Runscorer – C Bancroft @30.00

Tournament Top Bower (Option A) – S Lamicchane @12.50

Tournament Top Bower (Option B) - B Stanlake @38.00

Player of the Tournament – AJ Turner @30.00

 

(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

Enjoy the cricket and happy punting!