Prior to Wednesday night’s loss the Stars were favourites in head to head betting against the Melbourne Renegades. However, with the Stars having lost their last three games and the Renegades in red hot form, the odds have been switched with the Renegades now starting at $1.85 and the Stars at $1.95.

Punters weren’t able to split the Melbourne teams at the beginning of the season, with both teams starting as equal $5.50 favourites to win the championship before the first ball was bowled.

However that has all changed in the past few days following the Stars’ loss to Perth, with Warnies’ team taking a massive slide from $5.50 to $26 overnight to win the championship. Punters have snapped up the odds and in the lead up to this game they have now settled back down at $15.

The Melbourne Renegades have taken the opposite path this season. Once as long as $13 to go all the way, their recent winning streak has seen them come back into $5.50.

“With the Stars’ publicity machine working overtime pumping up Warnie and co it was pretty easy to buy into the hype surrounding them at the start of the season,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Shaun Anderson.

“Warnie has been holding up his end but he must be wondering when some of his teammates are going to step up and help him out!”

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades

$1.85 Melbourne Renegades

$1.95 Melbourne Stars

Melbourne Stars Leading Run Scorer v Melbourne Renegades

$3.50 Rob Quiney

$3.75 David Hussey
$4.75 Matthew Wade

$5.50 Cameron White
$5.75 George Bailey

Melbourne Renegades Leading Run Scorer v Melbourne Stars

$3.25 Brad Hodge

$3.75 Aaron Finch
$4.75 Glenn Maxwell

$5.00 Andrew McDonald
$6.50 Ryan Carters

Big Bash League Championship Winner
(prices in brackets from Tuesday, 3 January)
$3.85 Hobart Hurricanes (out from $3.65)
$4.50 Perth Scorchers (in from $6.00)
$5.00 Adelaide Strikers (in from $6.00)
$5.25 Melbourne Renegades (in from $6.00)
$7.50 Sydney Thunder (in from $8.50)
$9.00 Sydney Sixers (steady)
$15 Melbourne Stars (out from $5.50)
$67 Brisbane Heat (out from $41)

The Melbourne Stars marquee signing is also expected to make little impact with the bat, with odds of $501 that he will be the leading run scorer for the Stars and $1001 that he will be the leading run scorer for the entire tournament.

“We love Warnie as much as anyone, but we aren’t sure how his comeback to Australian cricket will go,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Shaun Anderson.

“He hasn’t had an ideal preparation, and while it will be great to see Warnie back at the ‘G, we aren’t holding our breath that he’ll have a massive impact with either the bat or ball.”

The Stars’ cross town rivals, the Melbourne Renegades, have also suffered an injury to their main man in Brad Hodge, which sportsbet.com.au believes will open up the door for Aaron Finch to dominate.

Finch is priced at $2.50 to score the most runs for the Renegades during the tournament, while Hodge is at $4.00.

“You can’t discount Hodgey as he has proven time and time again that he is one of the world’s best T20. But with him missing the first game, this gives a big advantage to Finch and we expect he’ll make the most of it,” said Anderson.

Despite the injuries to Warne and Hodge, both the Stars and Renegades are favourites to beat the Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers in their opening games of the new tournament.

The Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades are equal $5.50 favourites to take out the Big Bash title.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder – Saturday 17 December
$1.72 Melbourne Stars

$2.12 Sydney Thunder

Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers – Sunday 18 December
$1.85 Melbourne Renegades

$1.95 Adelaide Strikers

Melbourne Stars Leading Run Scorer

$4.00 Matthew Wade

$4.50 Rob Quiney

$5.00 David Hussey

$6.00 Cameron White

$501 Shane Warne

Others quoted

Melbourne Renegades Leading Run Scorer

$2.50 Aaron Finch

$4.00 Brad Hodge

$5.00 Andrew McDonald

$10 Shahid Afridi

Others quoted

Leading tournament run scorer

$6.00 Chris Gayle

$12 Aaron Finch

$14 David Warner

$17 Rob Quiney, Herschelle Gibbs

$21 Matthew Hayden, David Hussey, Liam Davis, Daniel Harris, Matthew Wade, Brendon McCullum, Aiden Blizzard, Brad Hodge

$23 Michael Lumb

$26 Shaun Marsh, Phil Hughes, Tim Paine, George Bailey, Daniel Smith

$31 Ben Dunk, Ed Cowan

$1001 Shane Warne

Others quoted

Leading tournament wicket taker

$11 Shahid Afridi

$13 Dirk Nannes

$15 Shaun Tait

$17 Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty

$21 Johan Botha, Jason Krejza, Jade Dernbach, Rana Naved, Daniel Vettori, Brett Lee, Luke Feldman

$23 Shane Warne, Michael Beer, Clint McKay, Fidel Edwards, Alfonso Thomas, Ben Hilfenhous, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazelwood

$26 Abdul Razzaz, Aaron Heal

$81 Chris Gayle

$251 Shane Watson

Others quoted

Big Bash League Winner

$5.50 Melbourne Stars

$5.50 Melbourne Renegades

$6.50 Brisbane Heat

$7.00 Adelaide Strikers

$7.50 Sydney Thunder

$7.50 Perth Scorchers

$8.00 Hobart Hurricanes

$8.00 Sydney Sixers

Katich is third favourite in the market behind Liam Davis at $4.25 and Herschelle Gibbs at $4.50. Marcus North is also a chance at $5.50.

“There is no doubt Katich was frustrated sitting back and watching the Aussie batsmen get smashed by New Zealand in the last Test,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Shaun Anderson.

“We think he will be looking to make a statement in the Big Bash League.”

Katich’s Perth Scorchers are $1.75 favourites to defeat the Hobart Hurricanes at $2.08 in their opening game of the tournament.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes – Sunday 18 December
$1.75 Perth Scorchers

$2.08 Hobart Hurricanes

Perth Scorchers Leading Run Scorer

$4.25 Liam Davis

$4.50 Herschelle Gibbs

$5.00 Simon Katich

$5.50 Marcus North

Others quoted

“70 percent of all bets so far have been on Australia to make it a clean sweep and win the Second Test,” sportsbet.com.au’s Haydn Lane said.

“That compares with 25 percent on the Draw and just five percent on the Kiwis.”

Ricky Ponting is the $4.25 favourite to score the most runs in Australia’s first innings at his home track, while Chris Martin is priced at $1,501 (and drifting) to score the most runs in New Zealand’s first innings.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Second Test – Australia vs New Zealand

$1.70 Australia (in from $1.75)

$2.90 Draw (out from $2.80)

$8.40 New Zealand (out from $8.00)

Top Australia First Innings Run Scorer

$4.25 Ricky Ponting

$4.50 Michael Clarke

$5.25 David Warner, Usman Khawaja

$5.50 Michael Hussey

$6.50 Phil Hughes

$10 Ban Christian

$13 Brad Haddin

$51 Peter Siddle

$67 Mitchell Starc

$101 James Pattinson

$201 Nathan Lyon

Top New Zealand First Innings Run Scorer

$4.50 Ross Taylor

$4.75 Brendon McCullum

$5.25 Martin Guptil

$5.50 Jesse Ryder

$6.50 Kane Williamson

$7.50 BJ Watling

$8.00 Dean Brownlie

$8.50 Daniel Vettori

$21 Reece Young

$51 Doug Bracewell

$81 Tim Southee

$101 Trent Boult

$1501 Chris Martin

Top Australia First Innings Wicket Taker

$3.25 James Pattinson

$3.35 Peter Siddle

$3.70 Nathan Lyon

$3.90 Mitchell Starc

$7.00 Dan Christian

$21 Michael Clarke

$34 David Warner, Michael Hussey

Top New Zealand First Innings Wicket Taker

$3.25 Daniel Vettori

$3.40 Chris Martin

$3.60 Tim Southee

$4.00 Doug Bracewell

$4.25 Trent Boult

$26 Kane Williamson

Phil Hughes’ mode of dismissal – first innings of Second Test

$1.37 Caught behind the wicket

$2.90 Any other method of dismissal

Wicket keeper, slips and gully(s) only count as being caught behind the wicket for this market

Will Ricky Ponting score a century in the Second Test?

$1.24 No

$4.00 Yes

Will David Warner hit the fastest 50 in Test history? (Jacques Kallis 24 balls)

Yes $8.00 No $1.07

Will David Warner hit the fastest 100 in Test history? (Viv Richards 56 balls)

Yes $11 No $1.03

$2.90 is available on Hughes being dismissed in any manner other than caught by the wicket keeper, slips or gully(s).

“Hughes just keeps getting himself into trouble and to the Kiwis’ credit they bowled very well to him in the First Test,” sportsbet.com.au’s Haydn Lane said.

“Hopefully he makes a pile of runs first, but it seems almost a certainty he’ll continue his nicking ways and give the Black Caps some more catching practice.”

In other specials, sportsbet.com.au has installed Ricky Ponting at $4.00 to mark a welcome return to his home city by scoring a century in any innings of the Second Test, while David Warner is priced at $8.00 and $11 respectively to score the fastest 50 and 100 in Test match history at the Bellerive Oval.

Australia ($1.75) are expected to continue their winning way against New Zealand ($8.00), while the Draw ($2.80) may come into contention with showers forecast for the weekend in Hobart.

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Second Test – Australia vs New Zealand

$1.75 Australia

$2.80 Draw

$8.00 New Zealand

Phil Hughes’ mode of dismissal – first innings of Second Test

$1.37 Caught behind the wicket

$2.90 Any other method of dismissal

Wicket keeper, slips and gully(s) only count as being caught behind the wicket for this market

Will Ricky Ponting score a century in the Second Test?

$1.24 No

$4.00 Yes

Will David Warner hit the fastest 50 in Test history? (Jacques Kallis 24 balls)

Yes $8.00 No $1.07

Will David Warner hit the fastest 100 in Test history? (Viv Richards 56 balls)

Yes $11 No $1.03

Sportsbet.com.au has also opened Ponting at $4.00 to depart the Aussie team before the India series, and $4.50 to silence his knockers and board the plane to the West Indies in April 2012.

“We’re tipping Punter will hit the Kiwis to all parts and then have one last shot at the Indians before calling it a day,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

Off the back of a last Test half century, Ponting is at $1.60 to reach triple figures once more before his illustrious career ends. The former skipper is at $5.00 to play in another Ashes Test.

Despite a raft of changes, Australia heads into the Test heavily backed.

“The Kiwis are friendless in the betting for the First Test with most of the money coming for the home side,” said Hawes.

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

When will Ricky Ponting retire or be sacked?

$1.50 During/after India Series but before West Indies Series

$4.00 Before the India Series Commences

$4.50 Ponting to play in West Indies tour

Will Ricky Ponting score another Test century?
$1.60 Yes
$2.30 No

Will Ricky Ponting play another Ashes Test?
$1.15 No
$5.00 Yes

Australia vs New Zealand First Test
$1.80 Australia (in from $1.85)
$3.00 Draw (out from $2.90)
$6.00 New Zealand

Jesse Ryder special

Will Jesse Ryder hit more runs in the First Test than his current weight in kilos? (both innings combined)

$1.60 Less than 105.5 runs

$2.30 More than 105.5 runs

Rixon is priced at just $1.20, ahead of Justin Langer at $5.00 and Tom Moody at $9.00.

“Rixon is the clear front-runner and despite opening him at a very short price punters have been happy to take those odds,” sportsbet.com.au’s Haydn Lane said.

“From all reports he’s almost across the line, but as we’ve seen with recent announcements around AFL coaching appointments, anything is possible.”

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Next Australian Cricket Team Coach

$1.20 Steve Rixon

$5.00 Justin Langer

$9.00 Tom Moody

$13 Mickey Arthur

$21 Craig McDermott

$26 Greg Shipperd, Darren Lehmann

If your player goes the Bash, you’ll win $20 Free Bet cash!

The Indian Premier League returns in 2011 for its fourth season. Two new teams enter the competition which fields a variety of Australian batsman such as David Hussey, Cameron White and Adam Gilchrist. Bigger than the huge hits these players are bound to deliver is the sportsbet.com.au 20/$20 Big Bash promotion!

Bet High Bat on as many players as you like and pocket a $20 free bet if your players scores 20 runs in a single over!

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20/$20 Big Bash – Offer Terms and Conditions:
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2. Bet on High Bat in any IPL Game, if your player scores 20 runs in one over, you win a $20 free bet. Min wager $5 per player to be eligible for the Offer. A member may place multiple bets on different players and the first bet on each player is eligible. Subsequent wagers on the same player are not eligible for a second bonus. The player does not need to score most runs or be the Highest Scoring Batsman. The player must score 20 runs from his own bat; overthrows, leg byes and extras are not included in the batsman’s score.
3. Single bets only. No Multibets are eligible for this Offer.
4. Scores will be sourced from http://www.cricinfo.com/.
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ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Money Back Special!

The 2011 Cricket World Cup begins on the 19th where Australia will play for their fourth World Cup in a row! The Aussies arrive as second favourites behind the host country after a 6-1 series win over England. Sportsbet.com.au have a cracking money back special for all members during the Cricket World Cup – get your money back if your high bat selection scores less than five runs!

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Enjoy cash back specials throughout the Cricket World Cup!

Cricket World Cup Money Back Special – Offer Terms and Conditions:
1. Only wagers placed over the internet are eligible for this offer.
2. The maximum refund for this wager is $50 cash per eligible wager. Only the 1st wager on any single player is eligible for this offer. If multiple wagers are placed on the same batsman, the first wager placed on that batsman is eligible but subsequent wagers on the same batsman are not eligible for the Offer. Members may place multiple wagers on the same Innings on different batsmen and the 1st wager on each Batsman is eligible for the Offer.
3. Single bets only. No Multibets are eligible for this Offer.
4. The Batsman must score less than five runs and be declared out for the Offer to be valid.
5. The Offer will be credited to those Members accounts within 24 hours on completion of the match.
6. If a player is declared a non-player, wagers placed prior to the start of the match will be refunded.
7. Bets must be placed prior to the batsmans wicket falling.
8. Free bets are ineligible for this offer and will not be refunded
9. Only bets placed on a first innings High bat bet are eligible for this offer.
10. Should the match be shortened under the Lewis Duckworth system, the Offer will not be available.