Now that the grand finals of the football codes are out of the way, and the hot Australian summer has arrived, focus now shifts to our cricket betting tips with the domestic season wasting no time in getting underway with the Matador BBQ One-Day Cup kicking off on Monday October 5th.
This series has changed format many times over the years, and its image has suffered badly as a result. What used to be a showcase of domestic one-day skill, is now looked upon as a warm-up series for the rest of the summer. Of course the players don’t think that way, and with the Australian Test stars returning to the fold after the cancellation of the Bangladesh tour, the series does offer some appeal.
The Matador BBQ One-Day Cup will see each team play six matches crammed into 20 days with the final set for October 25th. The entire series will be played around the suburban grounds of Sydney, but 15 of the 23 matches will be broadcast live in HD on GEM.
The new twist this season is the inclusion of a Cricket Australia XI full of young talents trying to break into their respective state teams around the country. While it’s great to give these players a crack at a higher level, if they are uncompetitive it could further hurt the struggling competition.
Let’s have a quick look at the chances of each team and try to find a winner!
Western Australia
Western Australia squad: Adam Voges (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Michael Klinger, Simon Mackin, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh (vc), Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman
The defending champs are back with another excellent squad full of youth, experience and the dynamic flair required to win in this format. The Test squad returning has done wonders for their chances with a host of talented players now back in action in this series. Adam Voges comes back in to lead the way as captain, while the Marsh brothers are probably the most important players of any in this entire tournament. Throw in Michael Klinger who has been in sparkling touch in England, young spinners Ashton Turner and Ashton Agar, and a high quality pace attack led by Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Coulter-Nile, this squad would be capable of defeating some international teams.
The team to beat and a very good chance to go back-to-back.
Danger men: They have plenty of them. Shaun Marsh at the top of the order is pure class, while his brother Mitch will be launching balls into the stands no doubt. Nathan Coulter-Nile is also dangerous at this level with both the ball and as a lower-order hitter.
Prediction: 1st
New South Wales
NSW Squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Ed Cowan, Moises Henriques, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Steve O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Gurinder Sandhu, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson
A star-studded line-up thanks to the injection of Test stars, the host team look one of the contenders for the Cup. Any team with the world’s best batsman in Steve Smith, and the most dangerous one-day bowler in the world in Mitchell Starc, is going to take some beating. Throw in the dynamic batting of Nic Maddinson, the all-round talents of Moises Henriques and Shane Watson, and the experience of Doug Bollinger, the Blues have no real weaknesses.
The Blues have the home ground advantage and one of the best squads going around. Expect them to reach the finals.
Danger men: Expect Nice Maddinson to be super-dangerous at the top of the order as he proves himself as a star worthy of higher honours, while Shane Watson loves being a flat-track bully against weaker bowling.
Prediction: 2nd
Victoria
Victoria Squad: Matthew Wade (c), Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, Jon Holland, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron White
With the inclusions of Test squad members Glenn Maxwell and Peter Siddle, the Victorian team again looks to have plenty of talent and depth in all departments. Matthew Wade will be leading a team that will be desperate to improve on their disappointing fifth place finish last season. Aaron Finch and Cameron White are the men to stop at the top of the order with both keen to get a full season of one-day runs under their belts. After that, the Vics will rely on all-rounders to do the bulk of the damage with the bat, while their pace attack of Siddle, James Pattinson, John Hastings and Clint McKay looks menacing.
A talented squad capable of winning the title, but they must find their consistency to challenge New South Wales and Western Australia.
Danger men: Aaron Finch is still on the comeback trail from injury and if he can get back to his best then the Vics will be in good shape. Glenn Maxwell is another match winner who will love the small Sydney grounds to plunder the bowling.
Prediction: 3rd
Tasmania
Tasmania squad: George Bailey (c), Jackson Bird, Xavier Doherty, Alex Doolan (vc), Jake Doran, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Andrew Fekete, Evan Gulbis, Hamish Kingston, Dominic Michael, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Clive Rose.
Tasmania have been disappointing in this tournament in the past, and let’s face it, they don’t play their best cricket until after Christmas since it is difficult for the Apple Islanders to get any meaningful turf wicket practice at home before October due to the weather. However they have assembled their strongest squad in a number of years. George Bailey is back to lead the team which is enormous, while James Faulkner’s availability is also huge as one of the best finishers in the game. Jake Doran is an interesting inclusion as one of the brightest young stars in the country. Expect him to have a big season this year, while Jackson Bird is on the comeback from injury.
This side is capable of beating anyone on their day, but consistency is a big issue. Will need to upset one of the big three to reach the finals.
Danger men: Ben Dunk hit a record 229 in this tournament last year and if he gets going, then there will be no stopping him. James Faulkner should also be given more responsibility this season and will rise to the challenge.
Prediction: 4th
Queensland
Queensland squad: Usman Khawaja (c)*, Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Luke Feldman, Peter Forrest, Chris Hartley, Charlie Hemphrey, James Hopes, Simon Milenko, Michael Neser, Nathan Reardon, Billy Stanlake, Mark Steketee (*Marnus Labuschagne injury replacement)
Queensland were rocked on the eve of the tournament with their injury-prone captain, Usman Khawaja doing a hamstring. After scoring so heavily in this competition in the past, he will be a massive loss. With Chris Lynn also still out through injury, a lot will now rest on Joe Burns and Peter Forrest at the top of the order. The Queensland bowling looks solid enough with Cameron Boyce one of the best spinners in the country in my opinion.
Might be a little weak in the batting department to contend for the title this year.
Danger men: Ben Cutting is destructive with the bat and valuable with the ball as a proven match winner. Nathan Reardon is also capable of anything but will need to bring consistency along with his big stroke play.
Prediction: 5th
South Australia
South Australia squad: Travis Head (c), Tom Andrews, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson, Jake Lehmann, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Gary Putland, Kane Richardson, Sam Raphael, Alex Ross, Daniel Worrall, Nick Winter, Adam Zampa
New coach Jamie Siddons has a tough initiation ahead of him in this competition. South Australia finished on the bottom of the table last year, and might have repeated of it wasn’t for the inclusion of the new CA XI team. Travis Head takes the reins and a lot will rely on himself, Callum Ferguson, and Tim Ludeman to do some damage with the bat. Tom Cooper has under-performed for years while Jake Lehmann is a young talent on the rise. SA can do some damage with the ball with Adam Zampa a good leg-spinner and Kane Richardson experienced in this format.
This squad lacks the star power of the others as evident by the fact they had no Test players returning to their squad. I just can’t see how they will be able to be competitive against some of the other powerful teams in this competition.
Danger men: Tim Ludeman is a damaging wicketkeeper-batsman who has enjoyed opening the innings in the past so it would be great to see him attack from the front. Travis Head is also a talented batsman but is still young, and now with the responsibility of captaincy, we’ll have to see if it helps or hinders his progress.
Prediction: 6th
Cricket Australia XI
CA XI squad: Will Bosisto (c), Alex Gregory (vc), James Peirson, Ryan Lees, Marcus Harris, Seb Gotch, Matthew Short, Jack Wildermuth, James Bazley, Liam Hatcher, Mitch Swepson, Hilton Cartwright, Riley Ayre, Matthew Dixon
A squad full of young guns from around the country who are currently unable to get a game for their state teams. While they are young and talented, they will be largely outclassed, but it’s a great chance for them to compete at a higher level. Hard to see them winning a game.
Danger men: James Peirson has shown himself to be a dangerous wicketkeeper-batsman in his few appearances with Queensland and the Brisbane Heat, so look for him to stand tall.
Prediction: 7th
2015 Matador BBQs One Day Cup Betting Tip
Back Western Australia to win - $7.00 at Betfair
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Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
