Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has installed the Melbourne Stars as the $5.50 favourites for the 2012/13 Twenty20 Big Bash.

The Brisbane Heat, Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes have all been priced at $6.00, with the Adelaide Strikers next at $6.50 and inaugural champions Sydney Sixers opened at $7.00.

“We saw last year with the Sixers winning it all after being considered outsiders from the get go, that it’s a wide open competition and the market reflects that,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

“The Stars have a very good team on paper and if they sign Shane Warne they’ll be hard to beat, but teams like Brisbane, who boast a good attack and strong middle order batting, and Perth also look strong.”

The Melbourne Renegades ($7.50) and Sydney Thunder ($8.50) round out the market.

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
2012 Big Bash winner
$5.50 Melbourne Stars
$6.00 Brisbane Heat, Perth Scorchers, Hobart Hurricanes
$6.50 Adelaide Strikers
$7.00 Sydney Sixers
$7.50 Melbourne Renegades
$8.50 Sydney Thunder