3 minute read

Our cricket expert John M provides his full in-depth preview, analysis and expert Big Bash tips across each and every match of the 2023/24 BBL 13 T20 Cricket series, right here on the Betfair Hub!

BRISBANE HEAT VS MELBOURNE STARS

BBL13 kicks-off with an explosive clash at the Gabba as last year's finalists Brisbane Heat welcome the underachieving Melbourne Stars. There's mixed news on the selection front for the Heat with the Prime Minister's XI fixture robbing them of Nathan McSweeney, Matthew Renshaw, Jimmy Peirson and Michael Neser, however that's been offset by the inclusion of test stars Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, while breakout quick Spencer Johnson is looking to return from a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile the Stars will be without all-rounder Beau Webster and former Heat paceman Mark Steketee, however they have been boosted by the news that Pakistani pair Haris Rauf and Usama Mir have been cleared to play, joining World Cup winners Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis in an imposing, if slightly top-heavy, line-up.

STRATEGY

After a run of seven wins from eight matches took them all the way to last season's finale, Brisbane have been installed as favourites ahead of a Melbourne side which has now gone three years without reaching the finals.

This lines-up as a battle between the Heat's powerful batting unit against the Stars' superior bowling attack and as we often see in T20 cricket it's worth siding with the team stronger in the field and with slow-starters Brisbane having lost their last four opening fixtures, we fancy an upset in the tournament opener.

Betting Strategy

Back: Melbourne Stars at $2.10+ for 2 units 

SYDNEY SIXERS VS MELBOURNE RENEGADES

The ultra-consistent Sydney Sixers will be hoping they can kick-start another successful campaign against a much-improved Melbourne Renegades outfit at the SCG on Friday night. The Sixers finished only one point off top spot last season before bombing out of the finals in straight sets, but then again retain a fairly settled squad with the only major loss being retired all-rounder Dan Christian, while for this match only they are able to call on the services of superstar Steve Smith who blasted 346 runs from just five games in BBL12.

The Renegades are missing their high-profile opening batsman with South African Quinton de Kock still completing duties in the Abu Dhabi T10 competition, but Englishman Joe Clarke is a shrewd acquisition at the top of the order, while the bowling attack looks strong with Australian representatives Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson supplemented by awkward Afghan tweaker Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

STRATEGY

The Magenta Men are healthy favourites to record what would be an incredible eighth-straight win over the Gades who haven't won at the SCG since BBL08. Melbourne actually boast an attack that looks well suited to the typically dry SCG pitch, while the home side also possess plenty of highly-skilled options with the ball so with eight of past ten BBL matches at the SCG failing to produce more than nine sixes, I'm expecting another quiet night as far as big-hitting is concerned.

Betting Strategy

Back: Total Sixes 9 and Under at $1.80+ for 1 unit 

ADELAIDE STRIKERS VS BRISBANE HEAT

It's a quick turnaround for the Brisbane Heat as they play their second match in three days, travelling to Adelaide to take on the Strikers on Saturday night. BBL12 was a disappointing campaign for the Strikers as they failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time in four seasons and their chances this time around haven't been helped by the withdrawal of star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, as well as the absence of test batsmen Travis Head and Alex Carey, pouring the pressure on reigning player of the tournament Matt Short.

The Heat have also been ravaged by personnel issues with as many as six players absent due to representative selection, meaning that they will lean heavily on international batsmen Colin Munro and Sam Billings, as well as spin duo Matthew Kuhnemann and Mitchell Swepson.

STRATEGY

There is a lot to assess here with so many players across both squads missing as well as the Heat's sharp turnaround plus the fact that the Strikers have won just one of the past five clashes between these two, rendering the match odds incredibly arduous to price.

Instead we'll focus on one of the overseas stars, that being Kiwi tyro Colin Munro who has a wonderful record in this competition, averaging 33.47 across 40 BBL matches and after top-scoring in three of eight games for Brisbane last season, I think he can do it again here.

Betting Strategy

Back: Colin Munro Top Brisbane Heat Batter at $3.75+ for 1 unit 

MELBOURNE RENEGADES VS PERTH SCORCHERS

The Melbourne Renegades are another side that has to deal with a narrow window between their first two fixtures, entertaining the Perth Scorchers at Geelong's GMHBA Stadium just two days after their opening match. After three consecutive wooden spoons, the Gades bounced back to finish third last year via strong performances from veteran batsmen Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh, as well as an outstanding season from seamer Tom Rogers who captured 23 wickets at an average of 20.04.

The Scorchers, meanwhile, are trying to become the first team to claim three successive titles and they certainly have a squad capable of lifting the trophy again with Australian representatives Josh Inglis and Aaron Hardie underpinning the batting unit, while yet again Perth retain the strongest bowling attack in the competition featuring the likes of Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye and Ashton Agar.

STRATEGY

Although the odds when the market settles will ultimately depend on how the Renegades perform in Sydney on Friday night, it is anticipated that the defending champions will start as favourites in this one, especially as they have won 15 of 18 clashes between these two sides.

However for all their success in this competition, the Scorchers aren't always the fastest starters, losing three of their past five opening matches and we're also attracted by the pedigree of Melbourne's English opener Joe Clarke who moves across town after a very fruitful season with the Stars where he averaged an impressive 29.30 so we think he can rise to the top against the reigning title-holders.

Betting Strategy

Back: Joe Clarke Top Melbourne Renegades Batter at $4.25+ for 1 unit 

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