Many of the Northern Hemisphere Twenty20 cricketing elite are now ‘wintering’ in the warmth of an Aussie Christmas having signed on for their T20 Big Bash series. This series has the same feel as the Indian T20 competition, without the big bucks that only India can afford. Still, it’s a lucrative series for players, and bookmakers are doing alright as well.

There are eight teams playing and while bookmakers have made the Adelaide Strikers the favourite at 9/2, they have not yet set the world on fire. The same could be said for Shayne Warne’s Melbourne Stars (5/1), being easily defeated in their first game. The surprise packet perhaps has been the form of the third favourites, the Hobart Hurricanes. At 11/2, they are good value considering their form to date.

Sydney Thunder at 13/2 and the Perth Scorchers at 7/1 round out the top five, and on current form, are probably the only five with any realistic chance of winning. Kiwi Brendon McCullum and West Indies start batsman Chris Gayle lead the way when it comes to top scorers with England’s Owais Shah a good bet at 6/1. So too is South African Herschelle Gibbs at 14/1 – when he gets going it’s a case of everyone ducking for cover.

We’re tipping the Hobart Hurricanes, they are good value at 11/2 and have put together a well balanced team that will be little effected by the national team selections. Chris Gayle looks to be a top bet for most runs scored, he is already leading the way, and with several big hitters pulling out of the tournament for the boxing day test against India, leaves him well placed to score more.