Big Bash 2015

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Renegades to win Big Bash 2015/6 at 5/1 with Paddy Power

The Melbourne Stars are favourites with most bookies, and they have some serious players in their squad. Not least the man who took the Ram Slam by storm with consecutive centuries. KP has been incredible since his notorious England snub. He did only get 300 odd after all.

They have a killer batting line up, with Glenn Maxwell, David Hussey, Luke Wright and Marcus Stoinis all boasting international pedigree. The latter is a serious, by the way. In the bowling department they are lighter, but still have class players like Hilfenhaus, Hastings and Zampa.

One team that’s flying under the radar are Sydney Thunder. As an outside bet they are certainly worth considering. their skipper, Michael Hussey has been around for some time. He’s been successful in pretty much every T20 league there is. Shane Watson provides knowhow with bat and ball. Jaques Kallis is the finest all rounder of his generation and Usman Khawaja is in the form of his life. In Andre Russell they have a real match winner and the balance they offer between bat and ball is formidable. Especially because they have Fawad Ahmed.

Meanwhile the Melbourne Renegades are flush with outlandish talent. They have Gayle, Finch, White and Bravo, as well as a whole host of international bowlers. Xavier Doherty and Nathan Hauritz provide proven spin quality and reverse swing bowlers like James Pattinson and Peter Siddle.

You can read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-2015-16--who-can-stop-the-perth-scorchers--2015121005

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Stars to win at 8/13 with Paddy Power

 

The Melbourne Stars are favourites with most bookies, and they have some serious players in their squad. Not least the man who took the Ram Slam by storm with consecutive centuries. KP has been incredible since his notorious England snub. He did only get 300 odd after all.

 

New captain David Hussey will take the reigns in the fifth edition of the BBL. Their all-rounders will be the key to their season and if they don’t fire then the Stars will be in some serious trouble.

With the likes of Hussey, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis shaping up as all-rounders, they will have plenty of options in the field with the ball. All those players are capable of batting strongly too.

These players will also likely form the Stars’ middle order. All of them have the ability to hit the ball hard and score runs quickly and have proven it before, which will be massive for the Stars, particularly if their top order can get off to a good start.

You can read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-kp-in-action-as-the-stars-take-on-the-strikers-2015121706

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Scorchers to beat Strikers at 4/7 with Coral

Shaun and Mitchell Marsh are the foundations of this Perth side with the bat besides Michael Klinger, who has been in incredible form over the past year. The Marsh brothers have got themselves into the Australia set-up thanks to some good work in domestic cricket. While Shaun has been solid with the bat, Mitchell’s performance with both bat and ball has drawn a lot of praise.

This side’s success has also been largely because of the fact that they go into the games with five specialist bowlers. They have an experience spinner in Brad Hogg, who will have a go this year as well despite being well into his 40s. Indeed Hogg’s story is a fairytale one. Retiring from all cricket in 2008, Hogg decided three years later that he still wanted to play at the age of 40. Since then he’s won two BBLs, including a man of the match display in the 2014 final, and has enjoyed success in the IPL during his 45th year.

Standing in the scorchers way in this first game are the Adelaide Strikers who, despite a less than star studded side, seem adept at doing the most important bit. Winning.

Having notched a surprise 21-run victory over the much-fancied Stars in the first game, Brad Hodge’s men will be looking to continue the seamless transition from last year when they only lost one game before the play-offs. That loss was at the WACA.

Tim Ludeman is one of the best batsmen in the history of the competition, getting regular runs at the top of the order. In Hodge they have experience, while on the bowling front they also Adil Rashid who again teams up with his Yorkshire coach, Dizzy Gillespie.

Many a tipster has been undone by this Strikers unit, but despite their undoubted team spirit, Perth are simply devastating at home, and the players they have are made for the big game.

Elsewhere, Alex Ross offers massive value to be top Strikers batter at 8/1, You can read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-can-the-strikers-put-a-dampener-on-the-scorchers--2015122001

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Renegades to beat the Scorchers at 10/11 with Ladbrokes

2pts Bravo to be top Renegades batsman at 10/1 with Coral

The Renegades are our tip to win the tournament. However, after a loss last time, they’ll be keen to get their campaign back on track.

With Finch, Gayle, White, Bravo and Wade as a top five, they probably have the most powerful hitting in the whole of the competition. A couple of those big players come off and 200 is very much on the cards.

In Nathan Rimmington they have the form bowler in the Big Bash, and Dwayne Bravo is the archetypal one day specialist, using his variations to pick up key wickets. In fact Bravo is probably the most all round performer their is, with his fielding as good as anyone’s.

Their stellar batting line-up means they may just have the power to beat the Scorchers here. Check out the full preview here:

https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-will-the-scorchers-be-on-fire-in-melbourne--2015122902

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts the Stars to win at 8/13 with Coral

 

The unheralded star of the Stars has been Luke Wright. What a T20 player he is too. And ODI player, if England hadn’t discarded him years ago. The Sussex man has just come off the back of a sensational domestic season, and his ton in the Stars’ latest game showed just how constructive he can be.

Up against them is a Hobart side that is over performing. But they do have Dan Christian, he of the massive sixes. The other day he hit a ball 120 meters. Then the next ball 117 meters. We picked him as a massive outside bet at 500/1 for top tournament batter. His two half-centuries so far may not be enough, but boy is he destructive.

George Bailey has been another big performer. But the biggest story in this Hurricanes side is the emerging talent of Jake Reed. The young seamer really does show the moxey of your average Aussie pacer. He’s taken six wickets in three games. And here’s the rub, he’s a Melbourne man. Hobart may have two more points than the Stars, but after this, we think it’ll be all square.

You can read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-can-the-stars-shine-against-the-hurricanes--2016010504

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Heat to beat the Strikers at 5/4 with Ladbrokes

Chris Lynn is a man at the height of his T20 powers, so much so that many think he has already booked his slot for the World Cup in February. Bar a complete battering by the Scorchers, all of the Heat’s games have been contests. And Lynn has been their standout. In his last three knocks he’s managed 251 runs and has nearly 300 in the tournament. The man could not be in better nick.

 

Alongside him he has Lendl Simmons, a talented West Indian who is beginning to demonstrate his huge ability, and Joe Burns, the current test opener for Australia.

 

The rest of the team is a refreshing mix of experience and precocious youth. In the bowling department, Hopes, Badree and Cutting are seasoned and reliable performers. it

is there that the may have the edge in this one.

 

The Strikers seem to have relied quite heavily on young Travis Head for runs, with others chipping in here and there. While their stand out bowler has been England Leggie Adil Rashid who has now picked up 10 wickets in just five games.

 

Unfortunately for the Strikers, they take an average bowling attack to face the form play in the Big Bash. With the possible return of Joe Burns and Lendl Simmins starting to find his feet, I think the home side has this one.

You can read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-can-the-strikers-stand-the-heat--2016010707

[BigMozzyDog]

Called the Renegades at the Start, but the Stars look like the bet for me at this stage.

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Renegades to beat the Thunder at 13/10 with Bet365

Although we tipped the Renegades for the tournament outright, we also highlighted the Thunder at a big price, with their big ticket players and experience throughout. Even with a loss they could make the next phase.

With Finch, Gayle, White, Bravo and Wade as a top five, the Renegades probably have the most powerful hitting in the whole of the competition. A couple of those big players come off and 200 is very much on the cards. However, with Wade and Finch both named in the national squad for the upcoming ODI series against India, there is more responsibility on the shoulders of Tom Cooper to step up and support Gayle and White at the top.

In Nathan Rimmington they have one of the form bowlers in the Big Bash, and Dwayne Bravo is the archetypal one day specialist, using his variations to pick up key wickets. In fact Bravo is probably the most all round performer their is, with his fielding as good as anyone’s.

In recent games, the former Windies ODI captain has shown what he can do with both bat and ball, hitting the ball long, and being the bowler the Renegades rely on to make things happen. If his teammates had been able to catch last time out against the Stars, he may have swung the game their way.

With Hussey potentially struggling for fitness, the Renegades can triumph in this must win against the out of form Thunder.

Read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-can-the-renegades-leapfrog-the-thunder--2016011001

[potus]

Sydney Thunder have stitched me right up here. How can you possibly be 113/1 through 12 overs and only end up with 173? That's horrific to be quite honest.

 

They better find some kind of inspired bowling performance or else I'm on to lose an awful lot of money. A couple of swings of Chris Gayle's bat and my money could vanish very quickly.

[potus]

1 hour ago, potus said:

Sydney Thunder have stitched me right up here. How can you possibly be 113/1 through 12 overs and only end up with 173? That's horrific to be quite honest.

 

They better find some kind of inspired bowling performance or else I'm on to lose an awful lot of money. A couple of swings of Chris Gayle's bat and my money could vanish very quickly.

Disgusting. Really disgusting. I don't deserve to lose that bet and that was a very upsetting chain of events to sit through. 

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Stars to win at 8/15 with Coral

The unheralded star of the Stars has been Luke Wright. What a T20 player he is too. And ODI player, if England hadn’t discarded him years ago. The Sussex man has just come off the back of a sensational domestic season, and his ton in the Stars’ latest game showed just how constructive he can be.

Then there’s the little matter of a big old batter called KP. Still one of the best players in the world, the England exile has made two really telling contributions already and is a real calming influence in the Stars line up.

As for the Heat, they have got the batsman of the tournament, Chris Lynn as their captain and talisman.

Lynn has been absolutely standout. In his last three knocks he’s managed 251 runs and has nearly 300 in the tournament. The man could not be in better nick.

Alongside him he has Lendl Simmons, a talented West Indian who is beginning to demonstrate his huge ability, and Joe Burns, the current test opener for Australia.

The rest of the team is a refreshing mix of experience and precocious youth. In the bowling department, Hopes, Badree and Cutting are seasoned and reliable performers. Despite all this, it’s hard to see them winning here.

You can back the Stars to win at 8/15 with Coral

[potus]

3 hours ago, BigMozzyDog said:

4pts Stars to win at 8/15 with Coral

The unheralded star of the Stars has been Luke Wright. What a T20 player he is too. And ODI player, if England hadn’t discarded him years ago. The Sussex man has just come off the back of a sensational domestic season, and his ton in the Stars’ latest game showed just how constructive he can be.

Then there’s the little matter of a big old batter called KP. Still one of the best players in the world, the England exile has made two really telling contributions already and is a real calming influence in the Stars line up.

As for the Heat, they have got the batsman of the tournament, Chris Lynn as their captain and talisman.

Lynn has been absolutely standout. In his last three knocks he’s managed 251 runs and has nearly 300 in the tournament. The man could not be in better nick.

Alongside him he has Lendl Simmons, a talented West Indian who is beginning to demonstrate his huge ability, and Joe Burns, the current test opener for Australia.

The rest of the team is a refreshing mix of experience and precocious youth. In the bowling department, Hopes, Badree and Cutting are seasoned and reliable performers. Despite all this, it’s hard to see them winning here.

You can back the Stars to win at 8/15 with Coral

You haven't explained why you think Melbourne Stars will win? If anything, you've given a more favourable review of Brisbane Heat.

[BigMozzyDog]

Sorry, I should have put a link to the full preview, my bad. The Heat are a funny side. They've got some gun batters in some knick, but they've struggled to put it all together, which is what I was driving at, I guess. 

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Stars to beat the Scorchers 11/8 with Boylesports

The Stars also miss Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner, but for some reason, they seem to still be strong enough in the batting department. KP has found some form, as has Peter Hanscombe, while they have some consistent performers peppered around the line-up. It is also only a matter of time before Marcus Stoinis makes another impact.

 

In Luke Wright, the Stars have a man at the peak of his powers, so, with both sides pretty equal with the bat, we’re going with the better bowling attack.

 

4pts Sixers to beat the Thunder at 7/5 with Betway

Brad Haddin leads this Sixers side, whose bowling attack is one of the most solid in the competition. In fact, you could say that without the contributions of Michael Lumb and Brad Haddin, there just hasn’t been a lot to write home about from a batting perspective.

If they can piece it all together here, with a fit again Nic Maddinson back, and Jordan Silk looking dangerous when he gets a go, they may have enough here.

The Thunder will feel that their first semi-final has been snatched from their grasp after they made such a strong start to the tournament, and players like Michael Hussey and Andre Russell will have every right to feel aggrieved at missing out. Momentum is a big thing in this format, and at present, the Thunder don’t have any.

You can read a full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-big-games-in-sydney-and-perth-2016011503

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Renegades to win at 20/23 with Boylesports

 

Cameron White showed his class in the Renegades last game where his third half century of the tournament was enough to see his side past the Thunder in the final over. Again, Dwayne Bravo was a stand out performer for the Renegades and must be their MVP in this campaign.

To not give the allrounder an contract must mean that the Windies are one of the best sides in the world. Oh, wait.

He has sparking variation when he bowls, including being able to send the ball down at touching 90mph. When he bats and a big knock is required, he seldom fails, whether he needs to marshall the tail or hit out. He’s a sensational talent.

Nathan Rimmington has proved himself to be an incredible talent in this format, while they may also welcome James Pattinson back into the side to face the Strikers. Now there is a serious seamer, one who can rip the heart out of a side. That is exactly what they need to stand a chance of overhauling this net run rate deficit. Though there is a chance he'll be rested.

As for the Strikers, they have maintained their table topping form from last year and are guaranteed to go through as leaders to the semi-finals once again. In fact, this game could be a rehearsal of that semi if the Renegades manage to win here.

The Adelaide Strikers are not to be trifled with, despite a lack of obvious fire-power in the bowling department. But Jason Gillespie really does know how to get his sides winning games.

They have relied quite heavily on young Travis Head for runs, with others chipping in here and there, not least Brad Hodge and Mahela Jayawardene. While their stand out bowler has been England leggie Adil Rashid who has picked up 14 wickets, and could be considered player of the competition so far.

However, if Pattinson returns to the Renegades side and the all round strength of their bowling attack compared to the Strikers, we just about side with the home team, providing they control the four overs of Rashid, and Jayawardene lose his fitness battle.

 

You can read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-the-renegades-tackle-the-strikers-in-a-must-win-game-2016011701

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Strikers to win at 4/5 with Bet365

Four of the top six bowlers in the Big Bash to date are on show for two teams who have produced balanced displays, rather than stand-out power hitting. Adil Rashid tops the wicket taking charts with 15, while team mate Ben Laughlin also makes the list. Tied on 14 wickets are the Strikers’ ANdre Russell and the wily Clint McKay. So, who will prevail.

 

The Strikers have a strong record in the league phase, without getting over the line to win the competition, while this is the Thunder’s first ever appearance in the final four. On the face of it, the game will be dominated by the bowlers, but if any batsman can make a big score, it could be the catalyst for victory.

 

Adelaide is a place where the ball certainly spins, which will benefit the home side. Not just because of the spin king in their arsenal, but because their batsmen are adept at scoring when the ball isn’t coming on.

 

Throughout the tournament, the Strikers have looked to Tim Ludeman to anchor the innings, with cameos from Travis Head, Brad Hodge and Alex Ross providing the boost to a respectable score. For this game they welcome back Mahela Jayawardene who, since replacing Craig Simmons at the top of the order, has found his form.

 

Having a man of Jayawardene’s class starting to get into knick is great news for any side. And now that we’ve reach the big games, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the little man make a telling contribution. He has back to back fifties and is well placed to continue that run after a match on the sidelines with a quad strain.

 

This promises to be a real nail biter, but the Strikers’ quality with the ball, particularly the skill of Adil Rashid on a turning deck, could see them get over the line. They have nouse in the batting department and a really strong balance throughout. It’ll be close, but I'm just going with the home side.

 

Read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/big-bash-the-strikers-host-the-thunder-in-the-first-semi-2016012006

[BigMozzyDog]

3pts Stars to beat the Scorchers at Evens with Ladbrokes

The Stars got it done in extraordinary circumstances in their last match of the league phase, with their bowlers really coming to the party. We predicted a big competition for both them and the Thunder at the start, and I think it will be both those sides in the final.

It will be something of a culture shock for the Scorchers to miss out, given their two wins on the spin. And this will undoubtedly be tight.

The Stars rely heavily on their top five, as most sides do, but given their lack of big hitting all rounders to get them out of trouble, KP and Marcus Stoinis will need to perform Peter Handscome is hugely underrated and Luke Wright has been a revelation.

I fancy KP to go big here and guide Melbourne to victory.

[BigMozzyDog]

4pt Stars to beat the Thunder at evens with Ladbrokes

The unheralded star of the Stars has been Luke Wright. What a T20 player he is too. And ODI player, if England hadn’t discarded him years ago. The Sussex man has just come off the back of a sensational domestic season, and his ton in the Stars’ latest game showed just how constructive he can be.

Then there’s the little matter of a big old batter called KP. Still one of the best players in the world, the England exile has made two really telling contributions already and is a real calming influence in the Stars line up.

As for the Thunder, they may have one of the greatest all-rounders ever on their squad in Jacques Kallis, but injury and poor batting form means that all of the talk has been about the enigmatic play of Andre Russell.

The West Indian has 175 runs at a strike rate of 192.3 for the tournament and is also the equal-highest wicket-taker for the Thunder with 14. Blessed with both blistering pace and the ability to clear any boundary, Russell has the ability to turn any game on its head

They finished the league phase emphatically by beating local rivals, the Sixers to seal a place in the last four. However, that only stopped a rot that had seen them almost throw away a strong start. They have weaknesses, but in the return of Usman Khawaja they get a much needed boost. His second hundred of the tournament makes him a big factor here.

This is a very evenly matched final, but the Stars have the extra fire power that may get them over the line.