BBL15 shapes as yet another opportunity for rising stars to stamp their mark on the Australian cricket landscape and set themselves up for the future.
Last season, the likes of Mitchell Owen and Cooper Connolly burst onto the scene and become household names.
So who are the players next in line to break into their BBL teams and excel once given an opportunity?
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The Heat have signed a rising quick after an impressive campaign in Queensland’s local T20 competition.
Meanwhile, the Renegades have a talented batter touted for big things, and ready to explode in their ranks. As do the Sixers with a gifted star ready to become a BBL weapon.
Here, foxsports.com.au breaks down every team’s potential breakout star ahead of the BBL15 season!
STRIKERS — Liam Scott
Liam Scott has been a regular fixture for South Australia in the red ball format, but has played only nine T20s to date across three seasons.
The 24-year-old is a talented all-rounder and played a pivotal role in the Redbacks’ Sheffield Shield title last season, breaking a 29-year drought in the process.
This season it looks likely Scott will have a bigger role to play for the Strikers and he could join Adelaide’s top order after a disastrous BBL14 campaign, winning only three games.
Scott’s selection also means the Strikers can play an extra batsman or more all-rounders, with his ability to fill overs likely playing a role in his selection.
In his nine games, Scott has only taken two wickets and averages 62.5 — but there’s a strong chance that figure drastically decreases after his BBL15 season.
Meanwhile, with the bat he averages a modest 20 with one 50 to his name, while he averaged 43.5 in his five innings last year which is impressive considering his strike rate of 155.35.
While Scott hasn’t yet stamped his mark on the T20 arena, expect to see him play a much bigger role this year for Tim Paine’s side.
Liam Scott of the Strikers could be primed for a big season.Source: Getty Images
HEAT — Oliver Patterson
The Heat had no choice but to sign Oliver Patterson.
The gun seamer earned himself a one-year BBL contract after a breakout campaign with Western Suburbs in the Queensland T20 Max competition.
Hailing from Sydney and previously playing for Eastern Suburbs in the NSW Premier Cricket comp, the 19-year-old shone bright in his first taste of cricket north of the border.
He took 15 wickets at an average of 9.73 and earned selection in the Team of the Year, which forced Brisbane’s hand in making him their 18th contracted player.
Patterson is an athletic left-arm bowler who swings the new ball with his whippy action, making a permanent move to Brisbane after his success and subsequent contract signing.
For Heat coach Johan Botha, signing Patterson was a no-brainer and he could slot into the side should Xavier Bartlett, Shaheen Shah Afridi or Michael Neser be unavailable, while Spencer Johnson and Callum Vidler are both sidelined due to injuries.
“We knew there were some very talented players coming into the competition that we were keen to look at, and Oli certainly showed his skills and ability for Wests from the outset,’’ he said.
“With Cal Vidler making his way back from a back injury, we were very pleased to be able to enhance our bowling group with another young quick, especially a left-armer with good skills and pace like Oli has.”
Patterson has previously played for Australian teams, representing his country in a Youth Test and two Youth ODI’s last year alongside fellow bolter Oliver Peake.
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HURRICANES — Marcus Bean
He’s the tallest player in the Big Bash and this 210cm fast bowler could make a splash this season.
Having been plucked out of Queensland Premier Cricket club Northern Suburbs last year, Marcus Bean made his BBL debut from obscurity.
The 21-year-old played two games during Hobart’s title-winning season before he made the move to Tasmania permanently, signing a two-year deal with the Tigers.
He was another who impressed in the T20 Max competition, with Hurricanes assistant James Hopes the man to scope him out and sign him to make the move south.
Bean didn’t have a Hurricanes contract until mid-November, but now he once again gets a chance to showcase his skills.
It’s unlikely he will slot into their best XI to begin with, but one he gets a chance, expect his steep bounce and height to trouble batsmen.
Bean releases the ball from well and truly above 2.6 metres high, making him a nightmare to face on bouncy wickets.
“He has height, decent pace and bounce, and while still very early on is his career he is only going to continue to develop,” Hurricanes high performance boss Salliann Beams said.
“Now that he is around both of our Hurricanes and Tigers programs, we are confident he will become an asset to our talented bowling group.”
Marcus Bean is the tallest player in the Big Bash.Source: News Corp Australia
RENEGADES — Oliver Peake
Oliver Peake has been one to watch over the last two years.
There’s huge wraps on the young Victorian batsmen, who already has nine First Class appearances under his belt.
The 19-year-old made his BBL debut as a replacement player in BBL14, but was handed a full-time contract following that season.
Peake was a member of the World Cup-winning Australian Under 19s team which has birthed several stars, scoring 46 not out in the final against India.
He also scored 54 in the Prime Minister’s XI clash against the England Lions, batting at second drop in a stacked line-up which included former Test stars Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney and Peter Handscomb.
Earlier this year, the rising star belted 92 for Australia A against Sri Lanka which remains the highest score of his first class career.
It‘s currently unclear where Peake will fit into the Renegades batting line-up but he has been touted for a huge future, especially at such a young age.
With Mohammad Rizwan at the club, it is likely there’s only one spot in the batting order available for Peake and fellow rising star Harry Dixon to take.
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STARS — Tom Whitney
Tom Whitney was the last signing the Stars made to complete their roster in late November, luring the impressive 23-year-old seamer down to Melbourne on a one-year contract.
The 23-year-old played two games for the Heat in BBL14, but since then has showed a mountain of improvement, having played five First Class games for Queensland.
In his last outing against NSW, Whitney took one wicket in both innings and also played in a Cricket Australia XI clash against the England Lions in January. He took 4/72 and was the pick of the bowlers for the Aussies.
In his two BBL appearances, Whitney has taken two wickets at an average of 27.5 and his ability to swing the new ball was key to his recruitment for the Stars.
With the overseas pairing of Tom Curran and Haris Rauf in Melbourne’s bowling cartel, Whitney could have only limited opportunities.
But if he does get a chance, expect the ball to be thrown to Whitney in the power play as he attempts to hit a nice line and length, aiming to take early wickets.
“Tom’s an up and coming quick with some good new ball skills,” Stars performance manager Clunt McKay said.
“He’s shown an ability to take wickets early in the innings, so we’re really looking forward to working with him.”
Tom Whitney was picked up by the Stars.Source: Getty Images
SCORCHERS — Sam Fanning
Sam Fanning has failed to capitalise on his limited BBL chances thus far, having played four T20s to date for the Scorchers.
The 25-year-old has scored 102 runs with a high score of 41, with three of his games coming during BBL 14.
With the likes of Josh Inglis there’s a strong chance he is unavailable due to Ashes selection, having been called in for the second Test at the Gabba.
Therefore, a slot could open up for Fanning at the top of the order, with Nick Hobson also in contention to slot in if not already picked.
In his last List A outing, Fanning tallied 66 against Tasmania and two games prior he belted 75 against South Australia.
Fanning is a crafty player with an ability to find the boundary rope and he will be desperate to capitalise on an opportunity he gets in BBL15.
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SIXERS — Lachlan Shaw
Lachlan Shaw has been in and out of the NSW side over the past two seasons, but he’s found his feet of late.
The 22-year-old played seven BBL games for the Sixers last season, with a high score of 33* and a total of 73 runs, he failed to fully stamp his mark.
It looks unlikely he slots into the magenta team’s top order at full strength, but Shaw will undoubtedly get a chance to deliver at some point in BBL15.
In his last three appearances for NSW in the one day competition and the Sheffield Shield Shaw has scored 60, 68, 44, 53 and 30* in an impressive run of form.
In three First Class games, the talented wicketkeeper batsmen averages 55.5 and he also belted a mammoth 184 from 258 balls for Northern Districs against Blacktown in the NSW Premier Cricket competition.
Off only 32 balls, Shaw also belted 75 against St George in the Kingsgrove Sports T20 competition — an innings that included eight fours and three sixes.
Shaw is primed to fully showcase his skills in BBL 15 and he will only improve with more regular appearances for the Sixers.
Lachlan Shaw has been in fine form.Source: Getty Images
THUNDER — Aidan O’Connor
The Thunder plucked Aidan O’Connor out of Tasmania, but Trevor Bayliss clearly thinks highly of the talented all-rounder.
The 19-year-old was handed a two-year contract after he was named Tasmania’s Young Men’s Player of the Year.
He also was a member of Australia’s ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup squad that beat India to win the title in 2024, going on to play in a variety of teams.
O’Connor was picked in the Prime Minister’s XI to face India late last year, going on to play four First Class games for the Tigers.
On debut he scored an impressive first innings 53, while also taking a wicket in both innings and Thunder general manager Trent Copeland has high opinions of the young gun.
“Aidan is one of the most outstanding young all-round talents in the country in our opinion,” Copeland said in a statement.
“What stands out is his tenacity in the contest with bat and ball, and his reputation as a fantastic team member.
“Watching him play for Tasmania against NSW last season, it reminded me a lot of Chris Green and Daniel Sams.
“Aidan has an incredibly exciting future ahead of him, and we are looking forward to seeing the impact he will no doubt make as part of our Thunder squad for BBL|15.”
