Big Bash League (BBL05) Pre-Season Betting Tips

Last season was hugely successful for our pre-season Big Bash League betting tips. Overall we won over 38 units of profit during the Big Bash League last season, so we’ll be looking to better that mark for BBL05!

In addition to our pre-season article, we'll have previews for every match of every round, including our tips. We'll also be pretty active on Twitter as I've just created a new account for purely content for Before You Bet followers. If you love nothing more than talking cricket and reading our cricket betting tips then follow @MrCricketBYB.

Here’s our best BBL05 betting tips!

Outright Winner

Here’s the way we have them ranked coming into the Big Bash league season:

1^st Hobart Hurricanes
2^nd Perth Scorchers
3^rd Melbourne Stars
4^th Sydney Sixers
5^th Melbourne Renegades
6^th Adelaide Strikers
7^th Sydney Thunder
8^th Brisbane Heat

Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers look the value in the Outright Winner markets. Scorchers and Stars are favourites which is understandable, but I think the Renegades are too short for a team which has not reach that stage of the tournament before. There’s so much hype about Chris Gayle, and if he flops then I think there’s pressure on the Renegades.

The Hurricanes have recruited superbly and I think have the best squad in the competition, plenty of match winners and little disruption for national duties. The Sixers are also a strong squad and they always perform well.

Check out our Big Bash League Squads & Team Preview article for more details about our thoughts on each team.

Hobart Hurricanes to win Outright - $9.00 at Sportsbet (3 units)
Sydney Sixers to win Outright - $8.50 at CrownBet  (1 unit)

Top 4

I think the Hobart Hurricanes look great value to make the top 4, on the fourth line of betting when we have them sitting on top.

Hobart Hurricanes to finish Top 4 - $1.91 at Sportsbet  (5 units)

Or for a slightly safer option:

Hobart Hurricanes over 3.5 wins - $1.63 at Luxbet

Wooden Spoon

While there are several contenders for the title, I think the Wooden Spoon is a race in two between the Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat. Happy to back both.

Sydney Thunder to win Wooden Spoon - $4.00 at Palmerbet (2 units)
Brisbane Heat to win Wooden Spoon - $4.00 at Palmerbet (2 units)

Leading Tournament Run Scorer

There are three main criteria to look for in this market. Players must bat in the top three, they must be available to play every game and preferably you want a player who will be playing finals as they will count in most betting markets. Don’t chance your arm on anything else.

Michael Klinger was the leading run scorer last year and is a model of consistency, scoring a mountain of runs all around the world. He’s not a big stroke player but he is capable of big scores.

The other I think will be right in contention is Nic Maddinson. We’ve been backing him every season, and this year might be his year. He’ll open the batting and is capable of incredible stroke play. Hopefully he’s found a new level of maturity to allow him to build an innings and not throw away good starts.

I also like Chris Lynn, but there are some concerns in that he’s returning from injury, he may bat as low as four, and the Heat are unlikely to play finals. However he’s a destructive hitter and smashed a double century in grade cricket to show he’s ready to perform in the BBL.

Michael Klinger Most Tournament Runs - $15 at Luxbet  (1 unit)
Nic Maddinson Most Tournament Runs - $19 at Bet365 (1 unit)
Chris Lynn Most Tournament Runs - $21 at Bet365 (0.5 units)

Everyone loves a good smokey, so if you want to throw a couple of darts you may like to speculate on any of these for 0.1 units.

Tim Ludeman - $34 at CrownBet
Brad Haddin - $41 at Sportsbet
Mike Hussey - $67 at Sportsbet
Jimmy Pierson - $151 at Ladbrokes
Dan Christian - $501 at Sportsbet
Dwayne Bravo - $501 at Sportsbet

Team Leading Tournament Run Scorer

When Joe Burns is away, expect Jimmy Pierson to open the batting at the Heat. He’s an exciting player with plenty of shots and looks value.

Jimmy Pierson Leading Run Scorer Brisbane Heat - $11 at William Hill (0.25 units)

At the Hurricanes, the market is slanted in favour of Kumar Sangakkara. It’s a risk taking on one of the world’s best batsmen, but we think it’s worth a play. Sangakkara will likely bat at three, with the Canes unlikely to disrupt the quality opening combination of Paine and Dunk who have performed very well in the past. Dunk is in exceptional form this season, while Paine seems to bring his best for the Big Bash. They will get a head start on Sangakkara in every match, and with Dunk’s great form, we’ll support the locals and risk Sangakkara.

Ben Dunk Leading Run Scorer Hobart Hurricanes - $4.00 at Ladbrokes (1 unit)
Tim Paine Leading Run Scorer Hobart Hurricanes  - $5.00 at William Hill  (1 unit)

It’s hard to go past Michael Klinger at the Scorchers. Michael Carberry looks the real threat with many of the other batsmen set to rotate in and out of the side due to national commitments.

Michael Klinger Leading Run Scorer Perth Scorchers - $3.25 at William Hill (3 units)

KP is a big favourite at the Melbourne Stars, but Luke Wright will open the batting and he’s been very consistent in previous years. Last season he was off the boil a little, with no big scores, so he’ll be looking to bounce back this season. There’s value in the price at Bet365.

Luke Wright Leading Run Scorer Melbourne Stars - $5.00 at Bet365 (0.5 units)

Shane Watson is the favourite at the Thunder, and he’s probably a good favourite to take on. He’s many years from his best and he is very inconsistent, so looks a perfect opportunity to find some value. Mike Hussey is 40 years of age, but he’s super consistent and although he’ll back down the order a little, he won’t fail too often if given enough opportunities. The price looks juicy.

Mike Hussey Leading Run Scorer Sydney Thunder - $8.00 at Sportsbet (0.5 units)

Leading Tournament Wicket Taker

For the leading wicket taker’s markets we really want someone who is either opening or bowling at the death – preferably both – as that’s where the most action is, and the most likely chance for wickets to fall.

Ben Laughlin is a proven T20 specialist. His yorker is superb and he’s guaranteed to be bowling at the death. Looks great value at Bet365 compared to other markets.

Shaun Tait may not play every game, so that’s the big risk for him, but he’s been in great form overseas recently. He’ll bowl at the death and is a proven wicket taker at good odds.

I really wanted to make a play on Adam Zampa or Cameron Boyce, but there doesn't seem any value in their price.

Ben Laughlin Most Tournament Wickets - $21 at Bet365 (1 unit)
Shaun Tait Most Tournament Wickets - $41 at Sportsbet (0.25 units)

Team Tournament Leading Wicket Taker

There’s not a lot of value left in the team markets for the leading wicket takers but we’ll make two plays.

Jackson Bird has relocated to the Sixers and will lead their attack. He’s come back really well from injury and looks to be bowling beautifully. His main threat is Doug Bollinger who hasn’t been a big wicket taker in this format, while the rest of the team are largely all-rounders.

Jackson Bird Most Tournament Wickets Sydney Sixers - $4.00 at CrownBet (1 unit)

Gurinder Sandhu is a player on the rise and he’ll lead a rather average Sydney Thunder bowling attack. He’s the main strike weapon and will definitely be bowling at the death.

Gurinder Sandhu Most Tournament Wickets Sydney Sixers - $3.25 at CrownBet (1 unit)