Australian Big Bash League: Who will ‘go all the way’ in this year’s competition?

The Australian Big Bash League is reaching its latter stages this week, with the main trophy on offer alongside other personal awards.

Having got underway in mid-December, the eight sides of Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Renegades, Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers.

And they have been whittled down to just three. Those in contention are now the Sixers, Stars and Thunder.

The Sixers have already booked their place in Saturday’s final, with the Stars and Thunder facing off on Thursday for the other spot.

SYDNEY,AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 4: Australias Nathan Lyon bowls on the last Ashes Test match at Sydney Cricket Ground,Australia on January 4, 2014

The Stars have been the top side in this year’s competition, winning ten of their 14 games. But they still have one match remaining in order to reach the final. The Sixers meanwhile have won nine to clinch second place in the table, but booked their spot in the final by winning their qualifier against the Stars.

It’s currently 3/4 for the Sixers to win the entire competition this weekend. The Stars are available at 11/4 to lift the trophy, with the Thunder currently 4/1.

And on a personal level, there are also awards for the top batsmen and bowlers in the tournament.

Currently leading the batting standings is Marcus Stoinis of the Melbourne Stars. He boasts 612 runs from his 15 innings so far, with his unbeaten 147 against Sydney Sixers the highest ever individual score in BBL history.

He’s hit 54 fours and 24 sixes, and is currently favourite at 1/5 to finish as the top scoring batsman in the competition.

Also in contention is Thunder batsman Alex Hales. He has 568 runs from his 16 innings and is currently 4/1 to finish in number one spot.

Both Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh find themselves massive outsiders at 100/1.

In the bowling figures, it’s Daniel Sams of Sydney Thunder who has 30 wickets from his 16 games. His team-mate Chris Morris boasts 20 from 14, but both are now eliminated from the competition.

That leaves Tom Curran of the Sixers, who has 22 wickets from his 14 games. He remains in the tournament, and is currently 3/1 to be the top bowler after the final.

Others in contention are Adam Zampa and Haris Rauf of the Stars. The former has 16 wickets from 10 games, and is currently 20/21 to be the top bowler. The latter meanwhile has 17 from eight games, and is available at 7/2.