The Melbourne Renegades are the only home team not opened as favourites by online bookmaker sportsbet for their opening Big Bash match, priced as $2.54 outsiders against Shane Warne’s Melbourne Stars ($1.50).

Defending champions the Sydney Sixers are the $1.57 favourites to beat cross town rivals the Sydney Thunder ($2.37) at the SCG, while the Brisbane Heat ($1.80) and Perth Scorchers ($1.73) have been installed favourites for their respective home matches against Hobart and Adelaide respectively.

“The Stars line-up is full of world class players and they look to have the measure of their home town rivals. They are the shortest priced side of all eight Big Bash teams in the opening matches and the early money indicates the punters think they’ll be far too good,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes.

The Stars ($4.75) are also the early favourites for the 2012/13 Big Bash crown with punters having attracted double the money than any other team. The Sixers ($5.50) and Strikers ($7.00) round out the best three backed sides.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
2012/13 Big Bash matches
Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars
$2.54 Melbourne Renegades
$1.50 Melbourne Stars

Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder
$1.57 Sydney Sixers
$2.37 Sydney Thunder

Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes
$1.80 Brisbane Heat
$1.98 Hobart Hurricanes

Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers
$1.73 Perth Scorchers
$2.07 Adelaide Strikers

2012/13 Big Bash winner
$4.75 Melbourne Stars
$5.50 Sydney Sixers
$6.00 Hobart Hurricanes
$6.50 Brisbane Beat
$7.00 Adelaide Strikers
$8.50 Perth Scorchers
$10 Melbourne Renegades
$11 Sydney Thunder