ADELAIDE STRIKERS
2015/16 Record: 7-1, Semi-Finalists
2016/17 Odds: $8
Star Player: Brad Hodge
Outlook: The Strikers were the dominant side during the regular season of BBL 05, with a record of 7-1, but went down to the giant-killing Sydney Thunder in the 1st semi-final at the Adelaide Oval. The batting stocks take a slight hit this season, with key batsmen Travis Head likely to miss a fair chunk of the season, representing the Australian ODI side. Head was the 5th highest run scorer during BBL 05 and his extended absence will be felt. Alex Ross was the Strikers’ top scorer in the semi-final loss to the Thunder and will represent the Heat this season. The signing of Ben Dunk from the Hobart Hurricanes could prove to be a masterstoke, while allrounder Kieron Pollard has the ability to blow a match apart with both bat and ball. The Wolf believes that the Strikers’ fortunes will rest primarily on the experienced Brad Hodge. Hodge is the 6th all-time runscorer in the BBL with an impressive average of 44.08 and can carry this side to a semi-finals berth for a third straight season and maybe even one game further.
Prediction: 2nd
Recommended Bet: To Make The Grand Final ($4)
2016/17 Odds: $8
Star Player: Brad Hodge
Outlook: The Strikers were the dominant side during the regular season of BBL 05, with a record of 7-1, but went down to the giant-killing Sydney Thunder in the 1st semi-final at the Adelaide Oval. The batting stocks take a slight hit this season, with key batsmen Travis Head likely to miss a fair chunk of the season, representing the Australian ODI side. Head was the 5th highest run scorer during BBL 05 and his extended absence will be felt. Alex Ross was the Strikers’ top scorer in the semi-final loss to the Thunder and will represent the Heat this season. The signing of Ben Dunk from the Hobart Hurricanes could prove to be a masterstoke, while allrounder Kieron Pollard has the ability to blow a match apart with both bat and ball. The Wolf believes that the Strikers’ fortunes will rest primarily on the experienced Brad Hodge. Hodge is the 6th all-time runscorer in the BBL with an impressive average of 44.08 and can carry this side to a semi-finals berth for a third straight season and maybe even one game further.
Prediction: 2nd
Recommended Bet: To Make The Grand Final ($4)
BRISBANE HEAT
2015/16 Record: 3-5, 6th
2016/17 Odds: $7
Star Player: Brendon McCullum
Outlook: The Heat will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing BBL 05 campaign and the return of the explosive Brendon McCullum will go a long way to helping their chances of doing that. Chris Lynn will once again be a key wicket for the opposition after leading all run-scorers in BBL 05 with 378, while the addition of middle-order batsman Alex Ross from the Adelaide Strikers could prove to be an astute signing. Taking wickets will once again be an issue for the Heat, with plenty of the responsibility falling on the shoulders of West Indian leg-spinner Samuel Badree, who led the Heat with 9 wickets last season. They’ll be on the fringe of the finals on the back of their batting depth, but ultimately don’t have the wicket-taking ability to challenge the better sides.
Prediction: 5th
Recommended Bet: Top Heat wicket-taker – Samuel Badree ($2.85)
2016/17 Odds: $7
Star Player: Brendon McCullum
Outlook: The Heat will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing BBL 05 campaign and the return of the explosive Brendon McCullum will go a long way to helping their chances of doing that. Chris Lynn will once again be a key wicket for the opposition after leading all run-scorers in BBL 05 with 378, while the addition of middle-order batsman Alex Ross from the Adelaide Strikers could prove to be an astute signing. Taking wickets will once again be an issue for the Heat, with plenty of the responsibility falling on the shoulders of West Indian leg-spinner Samuel Badree, who led the Heat with 9 wickets last season. They’ll be on the fringe of the finals on the back of their batting depth, but ultimately don’t have the wicket-taking ability to challenge the better sides.
Prediction: 5th
Recommended Bet: Top Heat wicket-taker – Samuel Badree ($2.85)
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HOBART HURRICANES
2015/16 Record: 3-5, 7th
2016/17 Odds: $9
Star Player: Kumar Sangakkara
Outlook: The Hurricanes have been perennial underachievers in this format of the game, based on the strength of their squad, with one semi-final berth in the first season of the BBL and a runner-up finish in BBL 03. They’ll be relying on their overseas players in Kumar Sangakkara and Stuart Broad to lift the side, especially in the absence of George Bailey, who will miss time on Australian ODI duty. Sangakkarra had an unhappy BBL season last year and will be keen to make amends. The loss of Ben Dunk is a blow to their batting depth and unless Sangakkara and captain Tim Paine can produce scores on a consistent basis, the Hurricanes will struggle to compete with the heavyweights of the competition. The Wolf has plenty of time for leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, who led the Hurricanes wicket-takers in BBL 05 with 11 wickets, but as already mentioned he might not have enough runs on the board to play with. The Canes to struggle again.
Prediction: 6th
Recommended Bet: Top Hurricanes wicket-taker – Cameron Boyce ($3.25)
2016/17 Odds: $9
Star Player: Kumar Sangakkara
Outlook: The Hurricanes have been perennial underachievers in this format of the game, based on the strength of their squad, with one semi-final berth in the first season of the BBL and a runner-up finish in BBL 03. They’ll be relying on their overseas players in Kumar Sangakkara and Stuart Broad to lift the side, especially in the absence of George Bailey, who will miss time on Australian ODI duty. Sangakkarra had an unhappy BBL season last year and will be keen to make amends. The loss of Ben Dunk is a blow to their batting depth and unless Sangakkara and captain Tim Paine can produce scores on a consistent basis, the Hurricanes will struggle to compete with the heavyweights of the competition. The Wolf has plenty of time for leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, who led the Hurricanes wicket-takers in BBL 05 with 11 wickets, but as already mentioned he might not have enough runs on the board to play with. The Canes to struggle again.
Prediction: 6th
Recommended Bet: Top Hurricanes wicket-taker – Cameron Boyce ($3.25)
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
2015/16 Record: 3-5, 5th
2016/17 Odds: $5.50
Star Player: Dwayne Bravo
Outlook: The Renegades finished on the fringe of the finals in BBL 05 and will be looking to book their first semi-final berth since the BBL 02 season. There’s no doubt the loss of Chris Gayle and the likely absence of Aaron Finch to Australia’s ODI side will hurt slightly but their batting depth won’t be an issue with Cameron White, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson and new signing Marcus Harris all capable of holding their own with the bat. Throw in the additions of spin twins Brad Hogg (2nd BBL leading wicket-taker) and Sunil Narine and the Renegades are starting to look a threat in this year’s competition, without even mentioning World T20 champion Dwayne Bravo, who was integral in the West Indies’ success. Bravo is the leading wicket-taker in T20 history and the Renegades will be hoping that both of their West Indian recruits can fire in BBL 06.
Prediction: 4th
Recommended Bet: Top 4 ($1.60)
2016/17 Odds: $5.50
Star Player: Dwayne Bravo
Outlook: The Renegades finished on the fringe of the finals in BBL 05 and will be looking to book their first semi-final berth since the BBL 02 season. There’s no doubt the loss of Chris Gayle and the likely absence of Aaron Finch to Australia’s ODI side will hurt slightly but their batting depth won’t be an issue with Cameron White, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson and new signing Marcus Harris all capable of holding their own with the bat. Throw in the additions of spin twins Brad Hogg (2nd BBL leading wicket-taker) and Sunil Narine and the Renegades are starting to look a threat in this year’s competition, without even mentioning World T20 champion Dwayne Bravo, who was integral in the West Indies’ success. Bravo is the leading wicket-taker in T20 history and the Renegades will be hoping that both of their West Indian recruits can fire in BBL 06.
Prediction: 4th
Recommended Bet: Top 4 ($1.60)
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MELBOURNE STARS
2015/16 Record: 5-3, Grand-Finalists
2016/17 Odds: $5.50
Star Player: Kevin Pietersen
Outlook: The Stars overcame their semi-finals demons last season by reaching the final for the first time, where they went down to the Sydney Thunder. Since the inception of the BBL the Stars have reached the semi-finals on every occasion and last year’s semi-final win was their first after a string of four semi-final losses. This side has always been around the mark, with talented players like Kevin Pietersen, Glenn Maxwell and David Hussey. Like the Sixers, the Stars are always decimated by players on Australian duty, with Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and Adam Zampa expected to miss time throughout the tournament. The Stars are one of the deepest sides in the BBL and have the uncanny ability to cover for their Australian stars, with KP, Luke Wright and Hussey all great players in their own right. Wright is 3rd in the all-time leaderboard for runs scored in the BBL with 1136 and is The Wolf’s top pick to lead the Stars again. It was the Stars final to win over the Thunder last year and will once again fail at the semi-final stage.
Prediction: 3rd
Recommended Bet: Top Stars runscorer – Luke Wright ($3.25)
2016/17 Odds: $5.50
Star Player: Kevin Pietersen
Outlook: The Stars overcame their semi-finals demons last season by reaching the final for the first time, where they went down to the Sydney Thunder. Since the inception of the BBL the Stars have reached the semi-finals on every occasion and last year’s semi-final win was their first after a string of four semi-final losses. This side has always been around the mark, with talented players like Kevin Pietersen, Glenn Maxwell and David Hussey. Like the Sixers, the Stars are always decimated by players on Australian duty, with Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and Adam Zampa expected to miss time throughout the tournament. The Stars are one of the deepest sides in the BBL and have the uncanny ability to cover for their Australian stars, with KP, Luke Wright and Hussey all great players in their own right. Wright is 3rd in the all-time leaderboard for runs scored in the BBL with 1136 and is The Wolf’s top pick to lead the Stars again. It was the Stars final to win over the Thunder last year and will once again fail at the semi-final stage.
Prediction: 3rd
Recommended Bet: Top Stars runscorer – Luke Wright ($3.25)
PERTH SCORCHERS
2015/16 Record: 5-3, Semi-Finalists
2016/17 Odds: $5.50
Star Player: Mitchell Johnson
Outlook: The Scorchers are the only team to have won the BBL twice and have made at least the semi-final stage in every year since the inception of the competition. They look to have the most balanced side in the competition, and despite the loss of Brad Hogg to the Melbourne Renegades, they look even stronger this season with the additions of Ian Bell and Mitchell Johnson. The axing of Mitchell Marsh from the Australian Test squad could be a blessing in disguise for the Scorchers, especially if he can replicate his recent ODI innings for Australia against NZ in Canberra where he dispatched seven sixes in his 76*. Marsh’s brother Shaun is the forgotten man due his recent finger injury that has seen him fall out of the Test team, but he’ll be keen for a strong BBL 06 in an attempt to regain his baggy green. He is the fourth all-time run leader in BBL history with 1127 runs at an impressive average of 59.31. Throw in the likes of Michael Klinger, Adam Voges and David Willey and you can see why this team is always around the mark when the whips are cracking. Top pick for The Wolf.
Prediction: 1st
Recommended Bet: Big Bash Winner ($5.50)
2016/17 Odds: $5.50
Star Player: Mitchell Johnson
Outlook: The Scorchers are the only team to have won the BBL twice and have made at least the semi-final stage in every year since the inception of the competition. They look to have the most balanced side in the competition, and despite the loss of Brad Hogg to the Melbourne Renegades, they look even stronger this season with the additions of Ian Bell and Mitchell Johnson. The axing of Mitchell Marsh from the Australian Test squad could be a blessing in disguise for the Scorchers, especially if he can replicate his recent ODI innings for Australia against NZ in Canberra where he dispatched seven sixes in his 76*. Marsh’s brother Shaun is the forgotten man due his recent finger injury that has seen him fall out of the Test team, but he’ll be keen for a strong BBL 06 in an attempt to regain his baggy green. He is the fourth all-time run leader in BBL history with 1127 runs at an impressive average of 59.31. Throw in the likes of Michael Klinger, Adam Voges and David Willey and you can see why this team is always around the mark when the whips are cracking. Top pick for The Wolf.
Prediction: 1st
Recommended Bet: Big Bash Winner ($5.50)
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SYDNEY SIXERS
2015/16 Record: 2-6, 8th
2016/17 Odds: $8
Star Player: Moises Henriques
Outlook: The issue will be the same for the Sixers as it was last season and it’s the amount of players they lose to Australian duty during the BBL season. Steve Smith will play no part for the men in magenta, while the Sixers bowling stocks take a massive hit, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Jackson Bird and Nathan Lyon out for extended periods of time due to Australian Test or ODI commitments. Nic Maddinson will also be absent during Australia’s Test series, while his fellow opening batsmen from last season, Michael Lumb has moved on. Both of the Sixers’ English imports in Sam Billings and Jason Roy won’t play a full BBL season as they’ll be heading to India for England’s ODI series against Virat Kohli’s men. The fortunes of the Sixers will rest of the shoulders of captain Moise Henriques and the experienced Brad Haddin. Consistency is crucial in the short format of the BBL and the Sixers simply won’t have any with their personnel changes. A consecutive wooden spoon looms!
Prediction: 8th
Recommended Bet: Top Sixers runscorer – Moises Henriques ($4.50)
2016/17 Odds: $8
Star Player: Moises Henriques
Outlook: The issue will be the same for the Sixers as it was last season and it’s the amount of players they lose to Australian duty during the BBL season. Steve Smith will play no part for the men in magenta, while the Sixers bowling stocks take a massive hit, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Jackson Bird and Nathan Lyon out for extended periods of time due to Australian Test or ODI commitments. Nic Maddinson will also be absent during Australia’s Test series, while his fellow opening batsmen from last season, Michael Lumb has moved on. Both of the Sixers’ English imports in Sam Billings and Jason Roy won’t play a full BBL season as they’ll be heading to India for England’s ODI series against Virat Kohli’s men. The fortunes of the Sixers will rest of the shoulders of captain Moise Henriques and the experienced Brad Haddin. Consistency is crucial in the short format of the BBL and the Sixers simply won’t have any with their personnel changes. A consecutive wooden spoon looms!
Prediction: 8th
Recommended Bet: Top Sixers runscorer – Moises Henriques ($4.50)
SYDNEY THUNDER
2015/16 Record: 4-4, Champions
2016/17 Odds: $7
Star Player: Usman Khawaja
Outlook: After struggling through the BBL since its inception in 2011 , the Thunder shocked everyone by taking out last year’s title on the back of strong batting performances by Usman Khawaja and Mike Hussey, who finished 2nd and 4th in runs scored in BBL 05 respectively. All-rounder Andre Russell was also instrumental with bat and ball, while Clint McKay was the leading wicket-taker in last year’s competition. Runs could be the huge issue for the defending champions, with Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis gone, while Usman Khawaja will miss the start of the competition due to Australian Test duty. If things weren’t looking tough enough, captain Shane Watson has suffered a calf injury that is likely to keep him out of the Thunder’s first two matches. The Thunder will rely heavily on the returning Eoin Morgan while the batting stocks are weakened, but will struggle to replace the wealth of experience missing. It’s hard to see the men in fluorescent green reaching the lofty heights of last season.
Prediction: 7th
Recommended Bet: Top Thunder wicket-taker – Andre Russell ($3)
2016/17 Odds: $7
Star Player: Usman Khawaja
Outlook: After struggling through the BBL since its inception in 2011 , the Thunder shocked everyone by taking out last year’s title on the back of strong batting performances by Usman Khawaja and Mike Hussey, who finished 2nd and 4th in runs scored in BBL 05 respectively. All-rounder Andre Russell was also instrumental with bat and ball, while Clint McKay was the leading wicket-taker in last year’s competition. Runs could be the huge issue for the defending champions, with Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis gone, while Usman Khawaja will miss the start of the competition due to Australian Test duty. If things weren’t looking tough enough, captain Shane Watson has suffered a calf injury that is likely to keep him out of the Thunder’s first two matches. The Thunder will rely heavily on the returning Eoin Morgan while the batting stocks are weakened, but will struggle to replace the wealth of experience missing. It’s hard to see the men in fluorescent green reaching the lofty heights of last season.
Prediction: 7th
Recommended Bet: Top Thunder wicket-taker – Andre Russell ($3)
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BBL 06 Prediction – Perth Scorchers to beat Adelaide Strikers
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