Tye at the top after early rounds of BBL
The 2017-18 Big Bash League got underway with a thrilling final-ball victory for Thunder over Sixers in the Sydney derby curtain-raiser
ESPNcricinfo staff
26-Dec-2017
Andrew Tye celebrates the wicket of Luke Wright • CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images
The early rounds of this year's Big Bash League have thrown up the usual challengers at the top of the table. Perth Scorchers - victors in three of the last four campaigns - are currently two from two following their latest win over Melbourne Stars on Boxing Day, while Melbourne Renegades are also firmly in the hunt, after trouncing Brisbane Heat under the roof at Docklands Stadium.
It's the Renegades who currently shade the betting - they are 3/1 to be this year's champions, with Scorchers just behind them on 7/2. And while it's early days, there is already a gap in the market opening up to the also-rans of Sydney (Thunder and Sixers) and Hobart Hurricanes, who are bringing up the rear at 16/1.
In the individual markets, one man has leapt to the top of the betting thanks to his prolific feats in the first two outings for Perth Scorchers. Andrew Tye is 4/1 to be the tournament's leading wicket-taker, and with hauls of 4 for 21 against Sixers and 5 for 23 against Stars, it's little wonder. Keep an eye, however, on Rashid Khan lurking further down the list. The leggie is the first Afghan player to feature in the BBL, and at the age of 19, he's got the world at his feet, and bamboozled batsmen at his mercy.