The 12th edition of Big Bash League returns Down Under, with some prime T20 action set to take place across Australia throughout the rest of the Southern Hemisphere's summer season.
Eight teams will battle it out for the crown, with five advancing to the knockout stages, with one crowned the ultimate victor.
And with a new tournament comes plenty of angles on the outright betting market, with plenty of money set to be wagered on one of the premier global T20 events.
Perth Scorchers are the defending champions, having lifted a record fourth title in 2021-22, but the bookies have them outside the top two in the betting for this one at 11/2.
The favourites are Sydney Sixers and the Hobart Hurricanes priced at 4/1, and there is sound reasoning behind both. The Sixers have reached six BBL finals, winning three and losing three, while Hobart have hosted the Player of the Tournament on four occasions, Top Batter five times and Top Bowler twice.
Hobart, however, are one of two sides never to win the BBL alongside the Melbourne Stars and have lost in two BBL finals. Melbourne Stars, who have advanced from the group stage on eight occasions, losing three finals, are fourth in the market at 6/1.
Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers are the two most decorated teams with seven wins between them and 15 BBL final appearances – a Scorchers-Sixers final is priced at 10/1.
The 'To Finish Bottom' market is an interesting one with Melbourne Renegades (3/1) and Brisbane Heat (10/3) the frontrunners. The Renegades have won the 'Wooden Spoon' for three consecutive years, so that could be the value.
When looking at potential stars of the tournament, the eyes are immediately drawn to the Hurricanes and reigning Player of the Tournament (POTT) and Top Batter Ben McDermott. A specialist in the format, McDermott amassed 577 runs last campaign and became the first player to score three centuries. He's 7/1 to retain his Top Batter crown and 10/1 to retain the POTT.
Hobart also boasts the prestigious talent of D'Arcy Short who can open the batting and bowl left-arm leg spin. Short was the Player of the Tournament and Top Batter in back-to-back years in 17-18 and 18-19 but he has struggled to make a name for himself on the T20 franchise circuit with spells in England and India. He is 14/1 to win the POTT this time around.
Other contenders for the Top Batsman include Sydney Sixers' 2020-21 Player of the Tournament Josh Philippe (8/1), Australian T20 stalwarts Aaron Finch (12/1, Melbourne Renegades) and Matthew Wade (12/1, Hobart Hurricanes) and a plethora of overseas talent including James Vince (12/1, Sydney Sixers) and Alex Hales (25/1, Sydney Thunder) - the latter won the Top Batter market in 2020-21.
The 2020-21 Top Bowler Jhye Richardson (Perth Scorchers) is the bookies' choice to win the award once again at (8/1), having taken 29 wickets that season, while 19-20 winner Daniel Sams (Sydney Thunder) is at a handsome 11/1. Last year's winner Peter Siddle (Perth Scorchers) is also in the running at 14/1.
Australian internationals who may also be in contention are Adam Zampa (14/1, Melbourne Stars), Billy Stanlake (30/1, Hobart Hurricanes) and Michael Neser (25/1, Brisbane Heat). Those looking for an overseas option could consider the likes of Rashid Khan (33/1, Adelaide Strikers), Trent Boult (40/1, Melbourne Stars) and Chris Jordan (66/1, Syndey Sixers).
