Big Bash League team-by-team guide, overseas players, ones to watch and betting odds
The start of this season's Big Bash League is fast approaching - check out Richard Mann's extensive team-by-team guide here.
Adelaide Strikers
- Coach: Jason Gillespie
- Captain: Travis Head
- Overseas: Danny Briggs, Rashid Khan, Phil Salt,
- Last season finish: Knockout
- Sky Bet odds: 5/1
Squad: Danny Briggs (Eng), Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Travis Head, Rashid Khan (Afg), Michael Neser, Harry Nielsen, Matt Renshaw, Phil Salt (Eng), Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Daniel Worrall, Jon Wells
Verdict: Having won the Big Bash in 2017/2018, Adelaide Strikers turned in another solid showing last year when finishing third in the league table before losing to Sydney Thunder in the knockout stages.
A bowling attack expertly led by wrist spinner Rashid Khan and the wily veteran Peter Siddle will this season be bolstered by the signing of Sussex twirler Danny Briggs, while Matt Renshaw's arrival from Brisbane Heat should beef up the batting.
Travis Head will again captain and big runs from him and Alex Carey - who has reaffirmed his commitment to the Strikers in recent days - will once again be key to their hopes.
One to watch: Peter Siddle is a phenomenon, continually proving that age is just a number with his well-documented vegan diet ensuring banana sales in Australia remain high.
Often unheralded, the veteran seamer claimed 19 wickets at an economy rate of just 7.18 in this competition last season and has kicked off this summer in good rhythm with the red ball.
With unwavering accuracy and a pinpoint yorker, Siddle has become a fine limited-overs operator.
Brisbane Heat
Coach: Darren Lehmann
Captain: Chris Lynn
Overseas: Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Dan Lawrence, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Last season finish: 7th
Sky Bet odds: 7/1
Squad: Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Tom Cooper, Joe Denly (Eng) Lewis Gregory (Eng), Sam Heazlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Laughlin, Dan Lawrence (Eng), Chris Lynn, Morne Morkel, Jimmy Peirson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afg), Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Jack Wildermuth
Verdict: Since winning the Big Bash title in the 2012/2013 edition, Brisbane Heat have continually failed to produce the results that their array of marquee batsmen have promised.
Chris Lynn will captain once again, but the departure of Matt Renshaw to Adelaide Strikers will leave a huge hole to fill, so too the loss of death-bowling specialist Ben Cutting.
Morne Morkel's signing should help strengthen a bowling attack that will rely heavily on leg spinner Mitch Swepson, while Tom Cooper and Dan Lawrence promise to be shrewd acquisitions in the batting department. But, as ever, much responsibility will fall on Lynn's broad shoulders.
One to watch: Chris Lynn is giant of the Big Bash and has amassed 2332 runs in this competition over the years at an average of just under 38. However, his returns weren't as impressive last season - 387 runs at 29.77 - and his stock appears to have fallen somewhat.
He spent the recent IPL warming the bench for eventual champions Mumbai Indians and is no longer part of Australia's plans. He'll be desperate to change that and this campaign represents a significant one for him.
Hobart Hurricanes
- Coach: Adam Griffith
- Captain: Matthew Wade
- Overseas: Colin Ingram, Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Keemo Paul
- Last season finish: Eliminator
- Sky Bet odds: 15/2
Squad: Scott Boland, Johan Botha, Tim David, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Colin Ingram (SA), Will Jacks (Eng), Dawid Malan (Eng), Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, David Moody, Mitch Owen, Keemo Paul (WI), Wil Parker, D'Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Nick Winter, Mac Wright
Verdict: Jofra Archer very nearly inspired Hobart Hurricanes to Big Bash glory in 2018/2019 and their batting - boasting the likes of Matthew Wade, D'Arcy Short and Ben McDermott - will always have the potential to post big scores.
However, with Archer again not returning to Australia this year, the already thin bowling stocks have taken a big hit and while recruiting more batting talent such as Peter Handscomb, Colin Ingram and Dawid Malan might have made a few headlines, it doesn't do much for the balance of the side.
One to watch: While maybe not quite at a crossroads, Ben McDermott's career is certainly entering a crucial stage and he will be desperate to put his name back in lights over the next few weeks.
It wasn't so long ago that McDermott was firmly in Australia's white-ball plans and he hasn't shaped without promise in his 12 T20I's to date.
The last of those appearances came well over a year ago, though, and he doesn't appear to be on the selectors' radar at present following a lean run in this competition last season.
He needs to do more and this pugnacious, middle-order batsman - whose strong wrists and ability to clear the ropes with alarming ease make him such a dangerous player - will be hoping he can build on a strong start to the new season for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield.
Melbourne Renegades
- Coach: Michael Klinger
- Captain: Aaron Finch
- Overseas: Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Nabi, Rilee Rossouw, Imran Tahir
- Last season finish: 8th
- Sky Bet odds: 13/2
Squad: Noor Ahmad (Afg), Cameron Boyce, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Josh Lalor, Shaun Marsh, Mohammad Nabi (Afg), James Pattinson, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Rilee Rossouw (SA), Will Sutherland, Imran Tahir (SA), Beau Webster
Verdict: Big Bash winners in 2018/2019, Melbourne Renegades endured a bitterly disappointing last season, finishing rock bottom of the league table, and it is equally hard to predict what they will offer up this time around.
In captain Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh, they do boast two of Australia's finest top order limited-overs batsmen, though the latter's international commitments have hurt the Renegades badly in the past.
The signing of Rilee Rossouw should add depth to that batting line-up, but key to their chances will be how fellow South African Imran Tahir gels with Cameron Boyce in a potentially potent spin attack.
One to watch: When Shaun Marsh signed for the Renegades last year a few eyebrows were raised, not least from Perth Scorchers fans who couldn't believe the Western Australia native would be playing his cricket elsewhere after such a long and successful association with the Scorchers.
It also appeared to be a gamble on the Renegades' part; Marsh being an injury-prone athlete who is closer to 40 than 30 and one who has suffered his fair share of form slumps throughout his career.
Despite all that, this is also a high-class operator who has made runs all around the world, particularly in T20 cricket, and averages a staggering 45.95 in 49 Big Bash innings to date.
Marsh didn't disappoint last season - his 449 runs one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable campaign for the Renegades - and he has struck three hundreds in First-Class cricket already this summer.
If he can stay fit, there should be plenty more left in the tank.
Melbourne Stars
- Coach: David Hussey
- Captain: Glenn Maxwell
- Overseas: Andre Fletcher, Zahir Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Haris Rauf
- Last season finish: Runners-up
- Sky Bet odds: 4/1
Squad: Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Dunk, Andre Fletcher (WI), Seb Gotch, Clint Hinchliffe, Zahir Khan, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jono Merlo, Lance Morris, Tom O'Connell, Nicholas Pooran (WI), Will Pucovski, Haris Rauf (Pak) Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Verdict: Consistently consistent and consistently frustrating is how Melbourne Stars fans might describe their team. Beaten finalists in each of the last two years, and three times in the last five editions of the competition, the Stars are rarely far away but are still to have their moment in the Big Bash sun.
Moderate run chases in the last two finals have cost them dearly and they have now drafted in Nicholas Pooran to bolster the batting that was carried by Marcus Stoinis' brilliance last term.
The departure of Dan Worrall does leave the bowling attack looking lean, though, and the Stars better hope paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile can stay fit.
One to watch: Bulging biceps and a chest to match Popeye, Marcus Stoinis is an intimidating sight at the best of times, but in the powerplay, with the field up, he can be a nightmare for opposition bowlers.
Stoinis plundered 705 runs last season at a barely believable average of 54.23, with his unbeaten 147 against Sydney Sixers surely the greatest and most destructive innings in Big Bash history.
It earnt him an IPL deal with Delhi Capitals where he displayed his versatility by producing a number of crucial contributions in the middle order before opening in the final two matches.
The prospect of him and Glenn Maxwell batting together will have Stars fans glowing with Christmas cheer.
Perth Scorchers
- Coach: Adam Voges
- Captain: Mitchell Marsh
- Overseas: Joe Clarke, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Jason Roy
- Last season finish: 6th
- Sky Bet odds: 9/2
Squad: Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Joe Clarke (Eng), Cameron Gannon, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Liam Livingstone (Eng), Mitchell Marsh, Colin Munro (NZ), Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Jhye Richardson, Jason Roy (Eng), Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman
Verdict: For so long, Perth Scorchers were the kings of the Big Bash with their three title victories in four years between 2014 and 2017 just reward for a side that so often pulled off miracle comebacks and defied more injuries than most.
That Western Australia has kept on producing exciting, young fast bowlers is a credit to the state and Justin Langer's excellence as head-coach, particularly when considering the mess the latter inherited when first taking over the reins.
Those days have now gone, however, and with Langer, Shaun Marsh and Michael Klinger no longer there, the Scorchers side has a different look to it now.
The pace bowling stocks remain strong, though, and Ashton Agar is a terrific all-round cricketer, but the top-order batting has been crying out for the fireworks that new recruits Jason Roy, Colin Munro and Joe Clarke promise to provide.
Never, ever write off the Scorchers.
One to watch: Joe Clarke is the obvious pick here given his excellent English summer was one of the main reasons why Nottinghamshire claimed another T20 Blast title only a few months back. If Australian fans don't know much about Clarke now, they ought to do in a few months time.
Clarke is expected to initially provide cover for Jason Roy as the latter juggles England's commitments, but with three overseas players now allowed to feature in the Big Bash this year, the Nottinghamshire star should be afforded plenty of chances to impress.
Clarke's 371 Blast runs last summer came at a strike-rate of 175.00 and true nature of the surface in Perth should be tailor-made for his game.
Sydney Sixers
- Coach: Greg Shippard
- Captain: Moises Henriques
- Overseas: Jake Ball, Carlos Brathwaite, Jason Holder, James Vince
- Last season finish: Champions
- Sky Bet odds: 11/2
Squad: Sean Abbott, Jake Ball (Eng), Carlos Brathwaite (WI), Jackson Bird, Dan Christian, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Moises Henriques, Jason Holder (WI), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Steve O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc, James Vince (Eng)
Verdict: Sydney Sixers might not boast the long list of big-name stars that some of their rivals can, but what they do have is a strong team unit which continues to punch above its weight.
That was again in evidence when they beat Melbourne Stars in last year's final to follow up their semi-finals finish the previous year.
A half-century from the well-touted Josh Philippe paved the way for victory in the final 12 months ago and it will be interesting to see how his game has developed since, similarly leg spinner Lloyd Pope and Sean Abbott, the latter having already featured for Australia this summer.
The experienced Moises Henriques will again captain the side while the retention of James Vince, plus the signings of Dan Christian and Mitchell Starc, are further boosts to a side that won't see anything of Steve Smith and Josh Hazelwood this season.
One to watch: I can't imagine Jordan Silk is a household name to many cricket fans, particularly not on these shores, but the diminutive right-hander has been a fine servant to the Sixers over the years, often making crucial contributions in the middle order to rescue his side after losing early wickets.
After enduring a disappointing campaign last term, Silk came good in the final when striking an unbeaten 27 from only 15 balls to remind us of his value to the Sixers and I'd expect him to produce more of the same this term.
Silk has started the First Class season in excellent form and I'll be keen to have him on side in the coming weeks should he be called upon to produce more rescue acts.
Sydney Thunder
- Coach: Shane Bond
- Captain: Callum Ferguson
- Overseas: Sam Billings, Alex Hales, Adam Milne
- Last season finish: Challenger
- Sky Bet odds: 15/2
Squad: Sam Billings (Eng), Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Callum Ferguson, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales (Eng), Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Adam Milne (NZ), Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain
Verdict: It seems like a lifetime ago since a Mike Hussey-inspired Sydney Thunder were crowned Big Bash champions in 2016, but there were signs last season that the tide might just be turning in the right direction again.
The appointment of Callum Ferguson as captain proved to be a smart move while a hungry Alex Hales has the potential to be a matchwinner as he bids to force his way back into England's white-ball plans.
The same can be said of Usman Khawaja - a huge part of that 2016 title success - and the batting promises plenty.
The bowling has strength, too, with plenty expected of the canny Daniel Sams and new recruits Ben Cutting and Adam Milne.
One to watch: When Callum Ferguson's First Class career came to an end at the Adelaide Oval just a few weeks ago - a brilliant second-innings 97 three short of what would have been a fitting, farewell century - many of us were left wondering what might have been.
Ferguson looked destined for greatness when breaking into Australia's ODI team back in 2009, building an impressive record in 30 matches until disaster struck when he suffered a serious knee injury in the Champions Trophy final of that year.
After a lengthy and gruelling rehabilitation, Ferguson made it back onto the field and enjoyed a distinguished career. However, despite flirting with international honours thereafter - including when earning a solitary Test cap in 2016 - he was never quite able to fulfil that early promise.
Now, with his career in its final throws, Ferguson has grown into a fine T20 player, initially for Worcestershire in England and more recently in the Big Bash.
In the last two seasons, Ferguson has amassed 442 and 376 runs respectively in this competition, always leading from the front, and the best might still be to come now he can fully concentrate his efforts on white-ball cricket.