Richard Mann previews the upcoming matches in the Big Bash with reigning champions Adelaide Strikers back in action.
Recommended bets: T20 Big Bash
4pts Adelaide Strikers to beat Melbourne Renegades at 13/18
Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades (Dec 23)
Reigning champions Adelaide Strikers kicked off this season's Big Bash with a comfortable five-wicket away win against Brisbane Heat and back on home turf, they look a good bet at 13/18 to take down Melbourne Renegades on Sunday morning.
The Strikers made Adelaide quite the fortress last year, going unbeaten on their home patch throughout the competition before overpowering Hobart Hurricanes in the final back at the same venue.
With the pitch generally flat and true, it takes a good attack to prosper here and the Strikers have one of the best in T20 cricket with Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan leading a bowling unit that also features Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake.
Despite the continued loss of Travis Head due to international duty, the batting remains highly serviceable with the exciting Alex Carey ably supported by Colin Ingram and Jake Weatherald, and they should have too many guns for the Renegades.
Minus Aaron Finch and the outgoing Dwayne Bravo, the Renegades look light on star quality this season despite their opening victory over Perth Scorchers.
The Renegades bundled out the Scorchers for only 103 but the fact they found themselves reduced to 17-4 in reply is an indication of the frailties that exist in their line-up.
The Strikers are a highly-skilled and professional outfit and won't be as forgiving as Perth were, especially in home conditions.
Betting at odds-on in T20 cricket can be fraught with danger but there are exceptions and the Strikers rate a good bet here.
Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars (Dec 24)
Last season's runners-up Hobart Hurricanes made a winning start when beating Brisbane Heat on Saturday and look serious players again this year.
Exciting young batsmen D'Arcy Short and Ben McDermott both showcased their obvious talent in that victory and former - back in home comforts after a frustrating time away from Australia in the last 12 months - looks set for a big few weeks.
Short blasted 67 from 52 balls against Brisbane, clearly appreciating pace on the ball on the return to flat, hard Australian pitches having struggled against spin in the IPL and on Australia's recent tour of Dubai.
The Hurricanes are 17/20 to complete back-to-back wins on Monday and with Jofra Archer and new recruit Johan Botha giving captain George a potent mix of firepower and control with the ball, they look well worth supporting.
The Stars are very much a side in transition and looked well short of the required standard when comfortably beaten by Sydney Thunder in their rain affected game on Friday.
With Stars stalwarts Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright now a distant memory, much of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of captain Glenn Maxwell and he needs a big season if his side are to compete against the big boys.
Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers (Dec 24)
Both Sydney sides made winning starts to the competition and this local derby could easily go either way.
I'm again keen to look at the top Sydney Thunder batsman market for a bet with Callum Ferguson, a loser for the column on Friday, afforded another chance at 5/1.
Ferguson was a 13/2 chance on that occasion, owing to the fact that many observers would have expected the South Australian to bat below Joe Root in the batting order.
Nevertheless, the classy Ferguson came in at number three on Friday following an impressive run of form in the warm-up fixtures that came on the back of a strong Vitality Blast campaign for Worcestershire earlier in the year.
He looked in good touch, too, until perishing for 15, and 390 runs at an average of 48.75 for Worcestershire in the Blast last summer is a clear illustration of his capabilities.
Although there is no 13/2 about Ferguson topping the Thunder run charts this time, 5/1 still looks fair and I have to give him another chance.
Posted at 1755 GMT on 22/12/18
