Melbourne Stars favourites to win the Big Bash League

Stars could win their first title in their 10th season

The tenth edition of the Big Bash League gets underway on Thursday with Melbourne Stars the 7/2 favourites to win their first title.

Melbourne have lost the last two finals, and have been runners up on three occasions, but they are leading the betting before the season gets underway, ahead of Perth Scorchers who are 4/2 second favourites.

Defending champions Sydney Sixers are joint-third favourites to retain the title, alongside the Adelaide Strikers, both at 6/1.

Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead said: “BBL 10 is here and the line-up is one of the strongest yet. The Melbourne Stars have been the bridesmaids so many times, but punters are backing them to get their hands on the trophy at long last.”

In the season opener, Hobart Hurricanes are odds-on 4/5 favourites to inflict defeat on the defending champions Sydney Sixers opening match. Sixers are even money to win.

Elsewhere, world number one ranked batsman Dawid Malan is among the English players Down Under, and he’s 20/1 to be the tournament’s top run scorer.

“The English influence will be strong, with the Perth Scorchers second favourites and looking to Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone to fire them up the ladder, whilst the world number One batsman Dawid Malan is 20/1 to score more runs than any other player,” added Aitkenhead.