There’s been a trend for back-to-back winners in the short history of the Big Bash League.
Since the inaugural campaign in 2011/12, the Perth Scorchers have won the title in consecutive seasons twice – 2013-15 and 2021-23, while the Sydney Sixers did likewise in 2019-21.
All of which sets the scene for the Brisbane Heat, who will be the reigning champions in 2024-25. But after losing their best batsman during the off-season, can they join the back-to-back club?
Feeling the Heat
The Big Bash League betting odds are giving Brisbane every chance, with a price of +400 seeing them considered just as likely to lift the trophy as Sydney Sixers behind the favorites, Perth Scorchers (+350).
Intriguingly, just across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand the Super Smash T20 will unfold in January and February. An acca calculator confirms that a $5 double of both reigning champions – Brisbane and the Auckland Aces – to win their respective tournaments would return $27.50.
Whether the Heat can hold up their end of the bargain, having lost top run scorer Josh Brown, remains to be seen. He scored 366 runs in the 2023-24 edition of the BBL, struck the competition’s only century, and was second only to Matt Short in terms of sixes hit. Brisbane’s loss is very much the Melbourne Renegades’ gain.
But the Heat have their outstanding pace bowling trio of Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, and Paul Walter intact, and they will have to do much of the heavy lifting in Brisbane’s title defense.
Striking Out
One of the most intriguing contenders to Brisbane’s throne could well be the Adelaide Strikers, who have confirmed that Travis Head – the number one T20 batsman in the world as per the ICC’s rankings – will be available for the final rounds of BBL games once his commitments for Australia are complete.
Short and Chris Lynn finished first and fourth in the list of top run scorers in last year’s Big Bash League, while Jake Weatherald finished the competition with the third highest strike rate.
Factor in international class from the likes of Alex Carey and Ollie Pope, and it’s evident that Adelaide has the firepower to win the tournament. However, their bowling options aren’t quite as striking, and a heavy burden will fall upon the shoulders of their mystery spinner, Lloyd Pope.
If having a suite of match winners at your disposal is one cheat code for T20 success, Perth Scorchers also appear to be in great shape ahead of the competition.
Aaron Hardie, the third highest run scorer in 2023-24, returns, while the experienced Jason Behrendorff will once again lead their bowling attack.
He’ll be joined by Hamish McKenzie, who delivered the best economy rate with the ball in last season’s edition, as well as the rapid Lance Morris and the canny Andrew Tye.
Oh, and there’s the small matter of international class in the shape of Mitchell Marsh, who will join up with the Scorchers following his duties with Australia, and Josh Inglis.
It’s clear that Brisbane Heat have their work cut out if they want to successfully defend their trophy…
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