The BBL will head into its 15th season with plenty of debate around the competition’s future structure as it competes in the crammed league window of December and January. However, there have been a number of eye-catching signings and a window post-Ashes should allow most of Australia’s Test stars to feature, while it also provides a last chance to impress selectors ahead of the T20 World Cup. Here’s a rundown of how each side shapes up.
*Squads subject to change
Adelaide Strikers
Captain Matt Short
Coach Tim Paine
Fixtures Click here
Squad Hasan Ali (PAK), Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Mackenzie Harvey, Travis Head, Thomas Kelly, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton (ENG), Lloyd Pope, Alex Ross, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Tom Straker, Henry Thornton, Luke Wood (ENG)
How they stack up
After winning a final in BBL13, Strikers sunk to the bottom of the ladder in a disappointing first season under new head coach Tim Paine who took over from Jason Gillespie. Strikers’ top-order was inconsistent and could not quite fire in the batting-friendly surrounds of Adelaide Oval. They have shaken up the batting-order after the departure of Jake Weatherald to Hobart Hurricanes while veteran D’Arcy Short has not been retained. Recruits Jason Sangha and Mackenzie Harvey add class and vigour as Strikers look to shore up a batting-order perennially dependent on skipper Matt Short. An even bigger issue for Strikers last season was their death bowling as they continually leaked big totals. International quicks Hasan Ali and Luke Wood will be relied upon to alleviate those issues, with Test seamer Brendan Doggett having moved to Renegades.
Player to watch
As per usual, Matt Short will carry a lot of burden on his back. He is Strikers’ talisman and the team’s barometer. After back-to-back BBL MVP awards, Short had an injury impacted season and made just 236 runs at 33.71 with 109 of those being in Strikers’ franchise record of 251 for 5 against Heat. Short will also be keen to produce a big season to ensure selection in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad. He’s been on the fringes of Australia’s white-ball teams for some time and had modest success against India recently.
Availability issues
Hasan is on the outer of Pakistan’s national teams so will be available for the whole season if he fails to be selected for January’s T20I series against Sri Lanka. Having played white-ball cricket recently for England, left-arm seamer Wood is a chance of being called up for the T20I and ODI tour of Sri Lanka which starts on January 22. Jamie Overton, who was Strikers’ standout with an outstanding allround season in BBL14, is also in the selection mix for the Sri Lanka tour. Test players Travis Head and Alex Carey should be available after the Ashes series wraps up on January 8.
Shaheen Afridi had a great powerplay AFP/Getty Images
Brisbane Heat
Captain Usman Khawaja
Coach Johan Botha
Fixtures Click here
Squad Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK), Tom Alsop (ENG), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Lachlan Hearne, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro (NZ), Michael Neser, Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth
How they stack up
It was a disappointing title defence for Heat, who finished second last on the ladder. They made an off-season statement in their bid to lift back into contention when they selected Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi in the draft. His signing was made even more important after left-arm speedster Spencer Johnson was ruled out of the season with a back injury. Heat still boast enviable pace depth with Michael Neser and Xavier Bartlett also in the line-up, but their spin stocks took a hit when legspinner Mitchell Swepson signed with Stars.
Player to watch
After a stellar season, where he topped the team’s run-scoring, Matt Renshaw resisted the temptation of a move and re-signed with Heat. Renshaw has started the domestic season strongly across formats and performed reasonably well in his first taste of ODI cricket in the recent series against India. His batting flexibility and sheer power makes him the key of Heat’s batting-order.
Availability Issues
Pakistan’s recently announced three-game T20I series against Sri Lanka in January could impact the availability of Afridi, who had originally been slated to play a full season. Test players Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja should be available after the Ashes although Khawaja’s current place in Australia’s team appears shaky.
Mitchell Owen made the equal fastest century in BBL history off 39 balls Getty Images
Hobart Hurricanes
Captain Nathan Ellis
Coach Jeff Vaughan
Fixtures Click here
Squad: Rehan Ahmed (ENG), Marcus Bean, Jackson Bird, Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Rishad Hossain (BAN), Chris Jordan (ENG), Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Mac Wright
How they stack up
After underachieving for so long, Hurricanes broke their hoodoo with a season for the ages capped off by a stunning triumph in a home decider against Sydney Thunder. Hurricanes have retained a large core of the title-winning team and importantly secured the signature of Tim David who was heavily courted by several rivals during the free agency period. But the ‘Canes have not stood idle after recruiting Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster and veteran quick Jackson Bird. Weatherald is effectively a like-for-like replacement for opener Caleb Jewell who was traded to Renegades.
Player to watch
Twelve months ago, Mitchell Owen was a relatively unknown allrounder whose only foray on the overseas franchise circuit was playing in a T10 tournament in the Cayman Islands. But Owen’s move up the order for Hurricanes proved a masterstroke with his brute force reinventing batting in the powerplay. He capped off an incredible season with a blistering century in the final at a febrile Ninja Stadium, leading to him being in major demand worldwide as the IPL, PSL and MLC beckoned. He also made his T20I and ODI debuts in a whirlwind year. Now a household name, there will be much expectation on Owen this season and BBL rivals will undoubtedly be better prepared. It will be interesting to see how he handles it all.
Availability Issues
Weatherald, and possibly Webster, won’t be available until after the Ashes. There were concerns over England spinning allrounder Rehan Ahmed after he was ruled out of the Lions tour of Australia due to a right lower leg strain suffered in England’s first Test warm-up at Lilac Hill. But he is expected to be fit in time for the BBL although he could be part of England’s white-ball Sri Lanka tour in January. Bangladesh legspinner Rishad Hossain will be available after the BCB did not grant him a NOC last season and he looms as a key cog after spinners Peter Hatzoglou and Paddy Dooley were not retained.
Jason Behrendorff struck twice in the first over of the chase Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Melbourne Renegades
Captain Will Sutherland
Coach Cameron White
Fixtures Click here
Squad Jason Behrendorff, Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Brendan Doggett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Caleb Jewell, Hassan Khan (PAK), Nathan Lyon, Fergus O’Neill, Ollie Peake, Mohammad Rizwan (PAK), Tom Rogers, Will Salzmann, Gurdinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert (NZ), Callum Stow, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa
How they shape up
Renegades overhauled their roster ahead of last season and transitioned into a new era under the leadership of Will Sutherland and Cameron White. But it did not do the trick with Renegades missing the finals for the fifth time in six seasons. With the pressure on, the ‘Gades have continued to make roster changes and went about bolstering their inconsistent batting line-up by drafting Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. They also traded for Hurricanes opener Caleb Jewell who sought more opportunities. Renegades will boast a potent pace attack and the two highest wicket-takers from last season – with Tom Rogers now joined by long-time Scorchers spearhead Jason Behrendorff. Test quick Brendan Doggett is also a new addition after leaving Strikers.
Player to watch
Not long ago Jake Fraser-McGurk was the hottest batting prospect in the country but he has somewhat dropped off the radar. Fraser-McGurk made just 188 runs from 10 innings last season but did show off his extraordinary talent in Renegades’ final game of the season when he whacked 95 off 46 balls to help haul down a target of 197 against Heat. Fraser-McGurk, 23, has already played 15 white-ball matches for Australia and was part of the CA XI side in their recent red-ball match against England Lions at Lilac Hill. He remains a player of significant interest for the national hierarchy, but needs to show far more consistency this BBL season.
Availability Issues
Rizwan may miss part of the season due to Pakistan’s T20I series against Sri Lanka in January, while wicketkeeper Tim Seifert may be selected in New Zealand’s white-ball squads to face India in January. Nathan Lyon, and potentially Doggett, will not be available until after the Ashes. Will Salzmann will miss the season due to injury.
Glenn Maxwell brought up his second successive half-century Getty Images
Melbourne Stars
Captain Marcus Stoinis
Coach Peter Moores
Fixtures Click here
Squad Austin Anlezark, Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke (ENG), Tom Curran (ENG), Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Jon Merlo, Haris Rauf (PAK), Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Tom Whitney
How they shape up
After Hurricanes’ broke their hoodoo, glamour franchise Stars are now the only club to have never won a BBL title. Stars did complete an incredible turnaround last season after overcoming a 0-5 start to qualify for finals. They are hoping the momentum carries over with Stars retaining a core that includes veteran batters Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright. While they made minimal changes, Stars did recruit legspinner Mitchell Swepson and quick Liam Hatcher who is hoped to help offset the losses of Joel Paris and Brody Couch. But their pace stocks have taken a hit after Mark Steketee, who was superb in BBL14, was ruled out of the season with a hamstring injury. Ultimately Stars are banking on continuity to help them finally lift a title.
Player to watch
It is no surprise that Stars’ fortunes last season largely hinged on Glenn Maxwell, their long-time talisman. They struggled badly when he was sidelined with a hamstring injury before he inspired the remarkable turnaround with typical heroics. He produced one of the greatest BBL innings in history after he farmed the strike and whacked 10 sixes to single-handedly beat Renegades. Even at the twilight of his career, Maxwell remains a freakish player, capable of bending a game to his will. Maxwell has had an injury-interrupted start to the season having made just 2 in his only innings in the T20I series against India after missing the first three games due to a wrist injury.
Availability Issues
Fast bowler Haris Rauf is another with some uncertainty given the T20I series against Sri Lanka which has been added to the calendar, while Scott Boland will only be available after the Ashes.
Mitchell Marsh celebrates after getting to his century Getty Images
Perth Scorchers
Captain Ashton Turner
Coach Adam Voges
Fixtures Click here
Squad Ashton Agar, Finn Allen (NZ), Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Laurie Evans (ENG), Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Mitchell Marsh, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, David Payne (ENG), Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner.
How they stack up
The five-time champions are coming off a season where they missed finals for just the third time in their proud history. Scorchers hierarchy have not panicked and have backed their blueprint of continuity and sticking with a local core. They have brought back a couple of trusted former title-winning players in middle-order batter Laurie Evans and left-arm quick David Payne. Joel Paris has also returned after stints with Hurricanes and Stars. He is an ideal replacement for veteran left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff, who departed alongside fellow fan favourite Andrew Tye. Ex-Stars quick Brody Couch also adds to the pace stocks as he completes his transition to Perth after moving over last year to play for Western Australia in the Shield.
Player to watch
Mitchell Marsh is second on Scorchers’ all-time run-scoring list, but has played just one BBL game in the past three seasons due to international commitments and injuries. Barring an unlikely inclusion in the Ashes, Marsh is set to be available for the full campaign and should solve Scorchers’ patchy top-order returns in recent seasons. Marsh and Finn Allen loom as a dynamic one-two punch at the top with the New Zealander having a point to prove after a lean debut season for Scorchers. After recommitting to Scorchers on a three-year deal, Marsh will be keen to make up for lost time in a BBL campaign that also looms as a perfect tune up for the T20 World Cup.
Availability Issues
Jhye Richardson is closing in on a return from shoulder surgery. He is set to miss the first match while he trains with the Test squad but is expected to be available for the second game against Heat. Scorchers will be without the services of quick Lance Morris who has been ruled out for the summer after undergoing back surgery. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis is likely to only be available after the Ashes. Payne will arrive after the ILT20 and Allen may leave for the white-ball series against India in January.
Steven Smith made his third century in seven BBL innings Getty Images
Sydney Sixers
Captain Moises Henriques
Coach Greg Shipperd
Fixtures Click here
Squad Sean Abbott, Babar Azam (PAK), Jafer Chohan (ENG), Sam Curran (ENG), Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc
How they stack up
Sixers pulled off a major signing by going for Babar Azam in the draft while Sam Curran could also prove a very effective acquisition. Elsewhere it’s a host of familiar names in one of the more consistent T20 squads going around. Kane Richardson has joined the pace attack, and further bolsters the death-bowling options, while Jackson Bird has gone to Hurricanes. They will hope for more from Josh Philippe this season after he has re-emerged as an Australia white-ball option.
Player to watch
For sheer drawcard power, it’s hard to look past Babar Azam, making his first appearance in the BBL. How he approaches things at the top of the order will be fascinating to watch. There is the potential in the latter part of the season that he could form an opening partnership with Steven Smith although now that he’s back in Pakistan’s T20I side the series against Sri Lanka could spoil the best-laid plans.
Availability issues
Sean Abbott will miss the start of the competition with the hamstring injury he suffered last month ahead of the Ashes. Smith is expected to come into the side after the Ashes finishes while Mitchell Starc, fitness permitting, will feature for the first time in 11 years. Josh Hazlewood could use the tournament for a return from injury ahead of the T20 World Cup should his rehab go to plan.
Tanveer Sangha removed Glenn Maxwell and Tom Curran off consecutive deliveries Getty Images
Sydney Thunder
Captain David Warner
Coach Trevor Bayliss
Fixtures Click here
Squad Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (ENG) Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson (NZ), Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan (PAK), Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Aidan O’Connor, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley (ENG), David Warner
How they stack up
Thunder had lined up one of the biggest signings of BBL history in R Ashwin, but he had to withdraw through injury in a blow to the club and competition at large. It is a stable domestic list with the only addition being Tasmania allrounder Aidan O’Connor. Even without Ashwin, they are well stocked with spin: Tanveer Sangha, Tom Andrews and Chris Green could all feature in the same side. David Warner led the batting last season and others chipped in around him after Cameron Bancroft was lost to injury following an awful collision with Daniel Sams. Batting conditions at home can be tricky.
Player to watch
Having fallen out of Test contention, Sam Konstas should get a full season and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the rhythms of T20 having just found some form in the Sheffield Shield ahead of the competition taking its break. He has shown glimpses in the format so far with two half-centuries last season. Signed a four-year extension with the club earlier this year.
Availability issues
There will be a bit of a revolving door among overseas players. Reece Topley will start the season before heading off to the SA20, at which time Lockie Ferguson will arrive from the ILT20. Shadab Khan’s availability may be impacted by Pakistan’s T20I series against Sri Lanka. Thunder don’t have anyone on their main list involved in the Ashes.
