The BBL 12 finals are here. BetDeluxe takes a look at all five competing teams and their chances of winning this season’s title.
Perth Scorchers
1st (11-3)
The reigning champions are never too far from the top of the ladder. Unsurprisingly, they once again finished with the best record in the competition, winning 11 of their 14 matches.
With stars in both their batting and bowling ranks, the four-time champions enter finals as $2.10 favourites to win the title.
The Scorchers’ top order has been the highlight of their season with Cameron Bancroft, Stephen Eskinazi, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis and Ashton Turner forming the strongest top order in the BBL. Both Hardie (434) and Inglis (405) rank in the top five run-getters, while Bancroft enters finals on the back of 95* (50) against the Renegades.
Andrew Tye leads their bowling attack with 24 wickets alongside Jason Behrendorff.
Suggested Bet: Perth to beat the Sixers at $1.71
Sydney Sixers
2nd (10-3)
While the Scorchers have been the best side throughout the 2022/23 season, it’s safe to say the Sydney Sixers boast the strongest form heading into finals.
They’ve won six games on the trot, including a record-breaking 125-run victory over the Thunder on Saturday.
Test champion, Steve Smith, has recreated himself in the short form and quickly become the #1 T20 batsman in the competition. From just four games, Smith has averaged 109.33 with two centuries and a 66. While not previously known for his power hitting, the former Test captain has smashed 24 sixers – six more than Matt Short and Tim David who have played 10 more games.
The Sixers have also had their stars with the ball, with Sean Abbott the leading wicket-taker with 24.
Suggested Bet: Steve Smith Top Sixers Batsman at $2.85
Melbourne Renegades
3rd (7-7)
Could this be the year the Renegades put three seasons of mediocrity behind them and claim their second BBL title? Well, they’re halfway there.
The men in red have triumphed in games when they’ve needed to as their form has fluctuated throughout the season. They’ve won four of their past seven, including a six-wicket victory over the Strikers on Tuesday to secure third spot.
Aaron Finch has turned back the clock with a swashbuckling 76* and 63* in the last two matches. The former Australian captain ranks third for runs with 418.
Tom Rogers has been a standout with the ball and sits fifth with 21.
Sydney Thunder
4th (7-7)
The Thunder bounced back from their embarrassing 125-run capitulation in the Sydney Smash and secured a finals berth with a three-wicket win over the Stars.
They have been inconsistent at best, with wins against the Scorchers and Renegades overshadowed by batting collapses such as their record-breaking total of 15 against the Strikers in December.
David Warner has highlighted their inconsistency with the bat, averaging 12.6 from five knocks since returning to the line-up.
Oliver Davies has recorded three half-centuries and 325 runs among a lot of poor form from teammates.
Suggested Bet: Oliver Davies Top Batsman at $9.50
Brisbane Heat
5th (6-7)
It’s a matter of what could have been for the Brisbane Heat after they bungled the chance of a home final with a two-run loss to the Hurricanes on Wednesday.
Needing just 19 runs off the final four overs and with six wickets in hand, the Heat somehow failed to chase down the total and fell to fifth spot on the ladder.
Prior to this, the Heat were in seriously good form with four consecutive victories. The return of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne has certainly bolstered their batting line-up, while Michael Neser has taken 22 wickets in a sensational season with the ball.
The heat have certainly got the talent to make a fist of this finals series as they attempt to win their first title in 10 years.
Suggested Bet: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Heat to win
- Leg 2: M. Labuschagne 20+ runs
- Leg 3: M. Neser 1+ wicket
- Leg 4: O. Davies top Thunder batsman
- Total: $12
