We’re on the eve of the fourteenth season of Australia’s Big Bash League, and BBL|14 promises to be the most explosive Twenty20 season so far.
This is a blink-and-you-miss-it event, with the opening match on December 15 and the final just a month and a half later on January 27.
The world cricket calendar is full of domestic competitions, franchise tournaments, and internal fixtures. The BBL clashes with Twenty20 competition in New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
The best players have to make big decisions where and when they play, with the Big Bash League having become a premier competition that attracts worldwide star names.
Here is a look ahead at what to expect over the festive period and into the New Year.
2023-24 Big Bash League Recap
The Brisbane Heat won the 2023-24 BBL season as they claimed their second title. They beat the Sydney Sixers in the final. This was the first year with a shortened fixture list, with teams combining to play 44 matches down from the previous season’s 61. This was due to concerns over player welfare and the season being too long.
The Heat and Sixers were the best teams all season long. They finished the year one and two on the log, respectively, with the Heat winning seven of their ten games and the Sixers six of their ten. They then battled through the finals to a deciding game that the Heat won convincingly by 54 runs.
2024-25 Big Bash League Preview
2024-25 Big Bash League Odds To Win (BetXchange)
- Perth Scorchers -15/4
- Sydney Sixers – 89/20
- Brisbane Heat – 99/20
- Hobart Hurricanes – 32/5
- Sydney Thunder – 20/3
- Adelaide Strikers – 79/10
- Melbourne Stars – 57/7
- Melbourne Renegades – 9/1
The 44-match format has been retained for the 2024-24 season. Each team plays ten league matches, with a four-match finals series in which the top four teams on the log will compete.
Teams must deal with star players dropping in and out of the side due to other commitments. The Melbourne Stars selected England opened Ben Duckett with their first pick, though he will miss at least two of the ten matches this season as he plays for England against New Zealand in the third Test of that series.
The defending champions will also have some issues with selections. Usman Khawaja is their captain, though he will miss games as he is Australia’s opening batter, and they are busy playing a vital Test series against India.
The rank outsiders are the Melbourne Renegades, though this is a team with something to play for. The Renegades women’s side won the WBBL, so the chance of a double is on the cards if their men can vastly outperform expectations.
2024-25 Big Bash League Best Bets
The depth and parity of this league is shown in the tightness of the betting. One team to watch for to make a run is the Adelaide Strikers. They feel undervalued at 79/10, especially when they add the No. 1 ranked men’s T20I batter, Travis Head, to their squad between his international commitments.
The favorites could take some beating. Finn Allen decided to concentrate on domestic T20 leagues rather than taking up a contract with New Zealand, and he has the potential to be a monster run scorer for an already loaded squad.
