BBL 2020/21 Teams Overview
The 2020-21 Big Bash League season is right around the corner and the team at BlueBet has you covered with a full overview of each team and predictions for what should be another entertaining season!
Melbourne Stars ($4.50)
After back to back runner-up trophies, can the Melbourne Stars finally bridge the gap in 2020/21? That's something we're not quite sure on. Firstly, they have to play most of their home games in Canberra before finishing the season with 4 of 5 at the MCG. Marcus Stoinis picked up an injury in the ODI series and they'll be hoping he's right to go. They have also lost a lot of strikepower in the bowling department with Rauf, Worrall and Lamichhane all missing. But with the likes of Glenn Maxwell in the lineup, the Stars can surely reach the top 5 and more.
Sydney Sixers ($6.00)
The defending champions will have a tough road back to the final this season as like most teams, they'll have a number of "home" games away from the SCG. But they do have a very settled squad and seem to enjoy the underdog tag. They've also added some exicting talented West Indians in Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder. The addition of Dan Christian to the middle order will also help them in the latter overs and he just seems to win trophies whereever he plays! Hard to see them missing the top 5.
Perth Scorchers ($6.00)
The Scorchers just missed the finals last season and have accordingly made some key additions to their squad. In the batting department, Jason Roy and Colin Munro provide match winning ability with the bat atop the order. So they'll be hoping their pace bowling brigade can re-capture their form to match their powerful batting lineup. The opening fixture hasn't been kind to them with their first 5 games away from Perth. But they do play 4 straight games at Optus in the new year. We think the Scorchers can have a better season and should make the finals.
Adelaide Strikers ($7.00)
The Strikers are always a good chance with the likes of Rashid Khan in the lineup. However, the fixture is really tough on the Strikers and they'll also miss Travis Head for most of the season due his likely inclusion into the Test series against India. Overall in the fixturing department, the Strikers will have to play 3 home games away from Adelaide Oval and their first 4 games are away from home. Rashid Khan will also likely miss the end of the season with International duties. So we just can't see the Strikers having a successful season.
Hobart Hurricanes ($7.00)
The Hurricanes are looking like a real danger threat in this year's BBL. Firstly, due to COVID they'll be able to play their 4 games in Tasmania, which includes a "home" game against the Strikers. So they should start the season with at least 3 wins. Their squad looks really strong with a number of key additions. Handscomb and Lamichhane (tested positive to Covid though) have both joined from the Stars. They've also added International in-form batsman Dawid Malan. So their batting looks very strong on paper. The major question mark is their bowling lineup which probably lacks a strike wicket-taker. However, this is a very talented squad that should be aiming to bat first on every occasion.
Brisbane Heat ($8.00)
There's no doubt about it, the Heat underachieved with their squad last year and Darren Lehmann has made wholesale changes. However, they're really lacking a superstar batsman to ease the pressure on Chris Lynn. AB de Villiers is missing this year and Renshaw has moved to the Strikers. They've also lost Cutting, Pattinson and Lalor. Morne Morkel is a good addition on a bouncy Gabba wicket and Tom Banton can be damaging on his day. However, we're not sold on the Heat's overall lineup at the moment.
Melbourne Renegades ($10.00)
It's fair to say the Renegades had a Grand Final hangover last season as they finished dead last. However, they've recruited well in the offseason especially in the bowling department. Such as James Pattinson from the Heat and underrated wicket-taker Josh Lalor. While they've lost Dan Christian, South African Rilee Rossouw could be an ideal replacement in the middle order. With Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh at top the batting lineup, expect the Renegades to be more competitive this year.
Sydney Thunder ($10.00)
The Thunder scraped into the finals last year but did some damage by knocking out the Hurricanes and Strikers. On paper, their squad isn't full of superstars but they seem to play well as a team. They've countered the loss of Chris Morris by picking up Ben Cutting. Alex Hales is back for another year and he'll join his English teammate Sam Billings. So the major question mark on the Thunder is their wicket tacking abilties and middle order striking in the late overs. But after last year's surprising run to the finals, the Thunder should really take great confidence into this year's BBL.
BBL Outrights 2020/21- Hobart Hurricanes
This will be one of the most unpredicted BBL seasons due to the number of venue changes as most teams won't be at their normal home ground in the first half of the tournament. However, we do like the value on offer for the Hobart Hurricanes. They should start the season on fire in Tasmania and have a strong overall squad of International and local talent. While Matty Wade will likely play Test cricket, their squad should be fairly untouched otherwise which definitely helps their chances.
Winner - Hobart Hurricanes $7.00
To Reach the Final - Hobart Hurricanes $4.00
Top 5 Finish - Sydney Thunder
After finishing top 5 last season and almost reaching the final, the underrated Thunder really don't deserve to be at this price to achieve the same result in 2020/21. They have a strong batting lineup that can bat down to number 8 and it looks like Usman Khawaja is out of favour in terms of Test cricket selection. Their bowling lineup isn't as strong but they do have good mix between pace and spin, especially with Daniel Sams taking plenty of wickets and Ben Cutting should be a solid addition.
