One-day cricket, test cricket and now T20 cricket – this really is the season that keeps giving. It’s time to preview BBL12, the biggest domestic tournament on our shores.
The Perth Scorchers took out the 2021-22 title, cementing themselves as the most successful franchise in BBL history, but the 2022-23 season is sure to throw up some curve balls.
As usual, we will be bringing you a full preview and betting tips for EVERY game throughout the BBL12 season, so remember to check out our Cricket Tips page regularly for updates.
BBL12 Season Preview & Betting Tips
Championship Prediction
The Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers start as clear favourites again heading into this campaign, and for good reason. The powerhouse BBL outfits have tallied four and three titles, respectively, while no other team has won multiple titles.
Perth looks to have the squad to go back-to-back, with overseas batsman Faf Du Plessis joining the fold through the draft. There is a broad range of talent across the squad, from big hitters Ashton Turner and Cameron Green to proven bowlers Andrew Tye, Tymal Mills, Jhye Richardson and Peter Hatzoglou. However, they will be forced to line-up without injured superstar Mitch Marsh and BBL11 Player of the Final Laurie Evans, who recently returned a positive doping test and was withdrawn from the squad.
Nevertheless, Perth should have too much firepower for the aging Sixers, who rely too heavily on their bowlers and lack the batting talent to put big scores on the board (even after the addition of Englishman James Vince).
Outside these two teams, there is one main challenger – Hobart has done the best job of improving its playing stocks, but it can take time for new players to hit their stride on Australian soil. As such, I’m backing the Scorchers to go all the way for a fifth time.
Top Tournament Run Scorer
Ben McDermott claimed this honour last time around, accumulating 577 runs for the Hobart Hurricanes in an impressive campaign.
He will be around the mark again, especially as he will play a full complement of matches, unlike others who are committed to either international cricket or other franchise competitions.
Josh Phillipe has a settled role at the top of the order for the Sydney Sixers, and I expect him to improve on the 429 runs of last season as he continues to develop his game.
I think the two locals will be right at the pointy end of the run charts, but McDermott is the deserved favourite.
Top Tournament Wicket Taker
Wiley veteran Peter Siddle dominated BBL11, taking 30 wickets as Adelaide’s star death bowler. He will be back for BBL12, but this time there is plenty more competition.
Jhye Richardson is fit again after missing much of last season, while Melbourne Stars signing Trent Boult brings real international star power to the competition.
Rashid Khan continues to bamboozle batsmen, as shown by his 20 wickets in BBL11, and the likes of Sean Abbott and Kane Richardson are always around the mark.
However, I’m backing Hobart’s Nathan Ellis to announce himself as a BBL force this season.
The versatile quick took 11 wickets in eight matches last year and has broken into the Australian squad this year, highlighting his development. Ellis is part of a strong Hobart squad that should perform well in this tournament, and he should play plenty of matches to build his wicket tally.
Team Previews & Player Props
Adelaide Strikers
Adelaide have been a perennial contender, qualifying for the last three finals series. It’s been a case of so close, yet so far for the Strikers though, who have not reached the Final in that time.
Despite that, the Adelaide squad looks primed to challenge this time around, with the signings of Chris Lynn, Adam Hose, Colin De Grandhomme and Cameron Boyce.
I believe that all these players give Adelaide the balance they need to play more consistent cricket, however it won’t be enough for them to break their finals hoodoo.
Predicted Finish: 3rd – 4th
Strikers Top Run Scorer: Matt Short
Strikers Top Wicket Taker: Henry Thornton
Brisbane Heat
Brisbane struggled badly last campaign, finishing only higher than the deplorable Melbourne Renegades.
However, they have recruited well ahead of this campaign, signing some quality batsmen in Colin Munro, Sam Billings and Ross Whitely. Therefore, it’s reasonable to expect an improvement from the Heat this season, at least until Billings and Munro depart mid-season.
Predicted Finish: 5th – 6th
Heat Top Run Scorer: Matt Renshaw
Heat Top Wicket Taker: Mitch Swepson
Hobart Hurricanes
The Hobart Hurricanes are another franchise that tends to push for finals each season, and I don’t see that changing this time around.
A trio of talented Pakistanis – Shadab Khan, Asif Ali and Faheen Ashraf - will boost Hobart’s hopes this season, while their core of homegrown stars remains.
With plenty of depth across the squad, I can see Hobart going deep into the finals in BBL12.
Predicted Finish: 2nd – 3rd
Hurricanes Top Run Scorer: Ben McDermott
Hurricanes Top Wicket Taker: Nathan Ellis
Melbourne Renegades
The Melbourne Renegades have languished down at the bottom of the BBL standings since their title breakthrough in 2018-19, finishing eighth three times in a row.
It’s a miserable record for the team in red, and one that I predict will get even worse this campaign.
While there has been plenty of turnover in the squad, I doubt it will result in improvement. Kiwi opener Martin Guptill joins an ageing top order that has failed to fire for a few years, while Andre Russell is also past his prime.
Spinners Akheil Hossain and Mujeeb Ur Rahman could have success on the low, slow wicket at Marvel Stadium, but I don’t think it will be enough for the Renegades to rise.
Predicted Finish: 7th – 8th
Renegades Top Run Scorer: Nic Maddinson
Renegades Top Wicket Taker: Kane Richardson
Melbourne Stars
One team that I predicted will slide in BBL12 is the Melbourne Stars.
Despite the addition of Kiwi star Trent Boult, the Stars are light on batting, especially since Glenn Maxwell went down with a serious leg injury.
Marcus Stoinis will be heavily relied upon to score runs, and in terms of squad depth its mostly state cricketers in the sheds.
Sorry Stars fans, this campaign could be a tough one for you.
Predicted Finish: 7th – 8th
Stars Top Run Scorer: Marcus Stoinis
Stars Top Wicket Taker: Adam Zampa
Perth Scorchers
The four-time champions enter this season with plenty of momentum, having improved their squad after a title-winning 2021-22 campaign.
Josh Inglis will have to lead the way with the bat after the withdrawal of Marsh and import Phil Salt with injury, while Jhye Richardson is back to full fitness and ready to elevate his career.
The Scorchers are always tough to beat at home and have enviable depth, so it’s tough to see them bowing out any earlier than the Final.
Predicted Finish: 1st – 2nd
Scorchers Top Run Scorer: Josh Inglis
Scorchers Top Wicket Taker: Jhye Richardson
Sydney Sixers
After falling at the final hurdle last season, the Sydney Sixers will be keen to return to the top in BBL12.
The men in magenta still have all the ingredients required to go deep in this tournament, with the best pace attack going around, but I have some question marks around their batting.
While the Sixers bat deep, they lack the firepower required to set big totals – will that be their downfall in BBL12?
Nevertheless, the Sixers should be right up there.
Predicted Finish: 1st – 3rd
Sixers Top Run Scorer: Josh Phillipe
Sixers Top Wicket Taker: Sean Abbott
Sydney Thunder
The Thunder have rarely been mentioned in this article, but they could be a wildcard in BBL12.
Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw have been added to the squad, giving the Thunder unrivalled power at the top of the order, while David Warner could break the competition wide open later this season. Ben Cutting and Daniel Sams are also more than adept finishers.
Unfortunately, the Thunder don’t quite have the bowling stocks to match. Nevertheless, they will be more than competitive.
Predicted Finish: 4th – 5th
Thunder Top Run Scorer: Jason Sangha
Thunder Top Wicket Taker: Daniel Sams
