Early betting value and free tips for the 2016/17 BBL season

THE Big Bash League may only be six years old, but its rise in popularity, crowds, viewers and quality cricket has been a sight to behold.

This year some of the greatest players to have ever taken to a cricket field will be on our screens as we are set to be treated to a veritable who’s who in the form of current and retired international cricketers.

It’s set to be the biggest season yet.

We have cast our eye over every player and team this season and put together a list of our best futures bets for BBL|06 in the title market, the top run scorer and the top wicket taker categories.

Take a look and win yourself some cash on this year’s big bash tournament.

BBL|06 outright winner

Melbourne Renegades

After a disappointing season in BBL|06, we are anticipating a much improved season from the Melbourne Renegades.

A season embroiled in controversy due to the media circus around master-blaster Chris Gayle and a failure by Gayle or fellow opener Aaron Finch to fire during any match invariably meant the men in red were out of the contest.

In 2016/17 Gayle does not return to Melbourne, and the ‘Gades have elected to spread his lofty salary around, which has enabled them to bolster their playing stocks substantially.

West Indian spinning sensation Sunil Narine debuts in the Big Bash, while popular left-arm spinner Brad Hogg will also don the red for the first time after a successful period over in the west.

Most importantly for the Renegades, their star players in Dwayne Bravo and Aaron Finch return to the fold. Finch in particular will be key given he has a point to prove after being omitted from the Australian ODI squad.

Another player who has a lot to prove is James Pattinson, who will wear the red again this season.

The injury-plagued quick is one of Australia’s most promising fast bowlers, but given his history he will need to prove both his form and his fitness at the domestic level. A fit and firing Pattinson bodes well for the Renegades.

Most pundits think it will be the Melbourne Stars who are the first Victorian team to claim an elusive BBL title for the self-proclaimed sporting capital of the world, but we are betting our chips on red this season.

Sportsbet.com.au has the Melbourne Renegades as the +550 third favourite to win the 2016/17 Big Bash League title

BBL|06 top tournament run scorer

Brendon McCullum – Brisbane Heat

After missing the entirety of BBL|05 due to international commitments, Kiwi heavy hitter Brendon McCullum will finally make his Big Bash debut in the Teal.

McCullum’s retirement from the international game may be New Zealand’s loss, but it is certainly Brisbane’s gain, given his pedigree.

The 35-year-old is the leading career scorer in Twenty20 International cricket history and is the first and only player to have scored two Twenty20 international centuries and 2000 runs in T20 internationals.

Not only that, but the former New Zealand skipper has the second highest individual score in all of Twenty20 cricket, a blistering 158 not out for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

On his day there are few players in the world that can match McCullum’s hitting power and the $13 on offer seems over the top to us, but we are happy to take it.

Sportsbet.com.au has Brendon McCullum at +1200 to be the top run scorer for the 2016/17 Big Bash League season

BBL|06 top tournament wicket taker

Sunil Narine – Melbourne Renegades

The Big Bash League loves a cult figure to get behind and the Renegades secured one in the form of West Indian super-spinner Sunil Narine.

The man they call the ‘mystery bowler’ is a prolific wicket taker at the international level.

The one-time number one-ranked Twenty20 bowler in the world, Narine currently sits ninth in the ICC T20 bowling rankings and is the 11th highest international wicket taker in the format of all-time.

Incredibly, the Trinidad and Tabago product averages over a wicket a game at international T20 level.

The 28-year-old is set to form a dangerous spin tandem alongside former Scorcher Brad Hogg, but we see Narine as more of a strike bowler than him, so we are predicting mass wickets for the superstar spinner.

Sportsbet.com.au has Sunil Narine as the +900 second favourite to be the top wicket taker for the 2016/17 Big Bash League season

[interaction id=”583cfaae2c6873750737988a”]