Big Bash League 2015-16 Preview

Big Bash League (BBL), Australia’s hot and happening brand of domestic Twenty20 cricket competition is back with its 5th edition. BBL is in its fifth season after the competition’s inception in the year 2011. The Big Bash League 2015-16 season will be contested by eight teams over eight rounds. The tournament begins on 17th December and will run till January 24, 2016.

In the brief history, Perth Scorchers are the most successful team and also the defending champions. The other teams that have won the title are Sydney Thunders and Brisbane Heats. Cross-town teams such as Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars Sydney Thunders and Sydney Sixers have been assigned as ‘rivals’ to each other.

This allows BBL to have two Melbourne derbies as well as 2 Sydney derbies within a single action-packed season. The BBL is more significant in other ways also. It is no longer viewed as simply a staging post on the way to the summit of the CLT20 – it is now the peak of achievement for an Australia-based T20 player, and the only way they can grab the attention of IPL talent scouts as well.

For each of the past four editions, it was understood that the true prize was the qualification for the final, given its attendant CLT20 qualification and associated riches. This time, the decider will be just that.

Let’s check out the teams that are ready to set the stage on fire:

1. Perth Scorchers

With the likes of Shaun Marsh, Adam Voges and Michael Klinger in the batting line-up, Scorchers may well dominate from the word go. Veteran spinner Brad Hogg will look to spring a surprise and add variety to a bowling pack which comprises the likes of Coulter-Nile, Ashton Agar and Jason Behrendorff. After an ordinary Test series against New Zealand, Marsh may eye at BBL as perfect platform to prove his mettle. Overall the team has a blend of young and experienced players, which will make things interesting.

Squad:

Adam Voges, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Muirhead, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Andrew Tye, Simon Mackin, Michael Klinger, Cameron Bancroft, Joel Paris, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Brad Hogg.

2. Sydney Sixers

Sydney will miss the services of Mitchell Starc, but that may well turn out to be the blessing in disguise as Josh Hazlewood has the perfect opportunity to snatch the limelight in his favour. Australian skipper Steve Smith will add the much-needed depth into the side, which looks strong on the bowling front. Brad Haddin will be on the chirping duty, where as the likes of Johan Botha, Sean Abbott and Doug Bollinger will look to lift Sydney when matters.

Squad:

Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Lyon, Ben Dwarshuis, Nic Maddinson, Jackson Bird, Johan Botha, Sean Abbott, Stephen O’Keefe, Josh Hazlewood, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Michael Lumb, Ryan Carters, Jordan Silk.

3. Sydney Thunder

When you have legends of the stature of Jacques Kallis and Michael Hussey, things get easy for the rest of the line-up. All-rounder Shane Watson will do the balancing act while Fawad Ahmed, Gurinder Sandhu will look to impress with the ball. A fit Usman Khawaja will be the trump card for the Thunder’s.

Squad:

Jacques Kallis, Patrick Cummings, Mike Hussey, Aiden Blizzard, Andrew McDonald, Jake Doran, Christopher Green, Ahillen Beadle, Jonte Pattinson, Chris Hartley, Fawad Ahmed, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Gurinder Sandhu.

4. Adelaide Strikers

Mahela Jayawardene and Brad Hodge will solidify the middle order, and Adil Rashid will look to chip in with his all-round show. The likes of Craig Simmons and Jon Holland will look to impress the selectors, as the side looks low on experience.

Squad:

Brad Hodge, Mahela Jayawardene, Michael Neser, Craig Simmons, Brad Hodge, Ben Laughlin, Travis Head, Kane Richardson, Kieron Pollard, Alex Ross, Gary Putland, Tim Ludeman, Kelvin Smith, Jono Dean.

5. Brisbane Heat

Brendon McCullum will be the X-factor for Brisbane Heat. He has a large array of strokes in his kitty and knows when to switch gears. With Joe Burns, Peter Forrest, Chris Lynn and James Hopes in the line-up. Brisbane are well equipped to tackle nerve wrecking situations.

Squad:

Mark Steketee, Samuel Badree, James Peirson, Andrew Fekete, Nathan Reardon, Ben Cutting, Chris Lynn, Nick Buchanan, Peter Forrest, Joe Burns, Brendon McCullum, James Hopes, Jason Floros, Luke Feldman, Alex Doolan, Josh Lalor.

6. Hobart Hurricanes

Tim Paine will lead the side and the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Shaun Tait, Darren Sammy and Dan Christian will turn up the heat for the Hurricanes. The side looks balanced and with George Bailey as an addition, Hobart are definitely one of the favourites to win the cup.

Squad:

Tim Paine (C), Ben Dunk, Cameron Boyce, Jake Reed, Shaun Tait, Darren Sammy, Kumar Sangakkara, Dan Christian, Simon Milenko, George Bailey, Sam Rainbird, Timm van der Gugten, Clive Rose, Jon Wells, Michael Hill

7. Melbourne Renegades

The Renegades are packed with big names. Aaron Finch, Cameron White, James Pattinson will have their task cut out, whereas they also have the big man Chris Gayle in their squad. Dwayne Bravo and Peter Siddle will look to lift the side with sparkling performances.

Squad:

Aaron Finch, Tom Beaton, Nathan Rimmington, Tom Cooper, Matthew Wade, Cameron White, Matthew Short, Nick Winter, Callum Ferguson, James Pattinson, Xavier Doherty, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Peter Siddle.

8. Melbourne Stars

The team is filled with world class all-rounders. David Hussey will eye the cup and the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Luke Wright and James Faulkner are good enough to push the dream. The addition of Kevin Pietersen will be a blessing for the stars as they look to hit business from the word go.

Squad:

David Hussey, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Scott Boland, Tom Triffitt, Glenn Maxwell, Luke Wright, John Hastings, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Beer, Peter Handscomb, Adam Zampa, Evan Gulbis, Kevin Pietersen, Daniel Worrall, James Faulkner.