3 minute read
An analysis of each team's squad and chances ahead of the ninth edition of the Big Bash League.
HOW THE TEAM SHAPE UP FOR THE BIG BASH LEAGUE
ADELAIDE STRIKERS
BBL08: 7th
Key Ins: Harry Conway, Phil Salt, Cameron White.
Key Outs: Colin Ingram, Ben Laughlin.
Player to watch: Salt isn't the biggest-name import but he could be one of the hardest hitting. The top-order batsman goes at a strike-rate of 154 on the global circuit.
Could have a tough run with Travis Head, Alex Carey, Michael Neser and Peter Siddle all likely to go in and out of the squad. Still have the talent to challenge though, with likes of Rashid Khan.
BRISBANE HEAT
BBL08: 5th
Key Ins: AB de Villiers, Zahir Khan, Tom Banton, Ben Laughlin, Cameron Gannon.
Key Outs: Brendon McCullum, Brendan Doggett, Alex Ross.
Player to watch: AB de Villiers will only play half the competition but one of the world's best bats has the potential to light up the BBL when he arrives in January.
Narrowly missed the finals last year and have replaced McCullum with Banton and de Villiers. Among the favourites.
HOBART HURRICANES
BBL08: Semi-finalists
Key Ins: Scott Boland, David Miller.
Key Outs: Johan Botha, Tymal Mills, Tim Paine, Jofra Archer.
Player to watch: Last summer's player-of-the-tournament D'Arcy Short's form will be crucial for the Hurricanes with Matthew Wade unavailable at the start.
Archer's rise means he'll be unavailable for the tournament while on England duties. It could place a strain on their bowling attack and make for a tougher campaign.
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
BBL08: Champions
Key Ins: Shaun Marsh, Richard Gleeson.
Key Outs: Chris Tremain, Cameron White, Usman Shinwari.
Player to watch: Will Sutherland has long been floated as a future star, but given he is now fit and free of under-19 commitments, this could be his breakthrough summer.
The Renegades' title-winning squad has arguably got stronger with Marsh added, and Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris likely to be available more this season. Will be tough to beat.
MELBOURNE STARS
BBL08: Runners-up
Key Ins: Dale Steyn, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Brown.
Key Outs: Dwayne Bravo, Michael Beer, Travis Dean, Scott Boland, Jackson Bird.
Player to watch: Glenn Maxwell will be eying a massive BBL on his return to cricket. At his best, he's one of the most dangerous in the league.
Have huge player turnover after they realistically should have won the final last year. South African quick Steyn is a huge import but is likely only available for the first six games.
PERTH SCORCHERS
BBL08: 8th (wooden spoon)
Key ins: Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Fawad Ahmed, Kurtis Patterson.
Key outs: Shaun Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Hilton Cartwright, David Willey, Michael Klinger.
Player to watch: Cam Green. The 20-year-old is already being touted as Australia's next great allrounder. Won't bowl due to back issues but will still bat at No.6.
The three-time champions collected the wooden spoon last season, and they could be in for another tough year. Quicks Jason Behrendorff (back) and AJ Tye (elbow) are out also of action.
SYDNEY SIXERS
BBL08: Semi-finalists
Key Ins: Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.
Key Outs: Joe Denly, Peter Nevill.
Player to watch: Josh Phillippe showed signs of his potential with two half-centuries last season. This year could be a big one for him.
The additions of Smith and Hazlewood (fitness pending) mean that they could be poised to strike late in the season.
SYDNEY THUNDER
BBL08: 6th
Key Ins: Alex Ross, Alex Hales, Chris Morris, Tanveer Sangha.
Key Outs: Shane Watson, Fawad Ahmed, Kurtis Patterson, Jos Buttler.
Player to watch: Hales takes Jos Buttler's spot as the Thunder's English power hitter with the latter away on international duty. He's a more than capable replacement.
Have the bonus of finally having Usman Khawaja available but it will be a case of whether their young stars can rise again.
