All you need to know about BBL 7

The seventh edition of the Big Bash League set to begin on December 19 is expected to be bigger and better with the eight franchises almost ready to take on the new challenge. With entertaining and mind-blowing cricket, there is never a dull moment for the fans. There are new signings and re-signings for the teams, while some are fairly expected ones, a few are a bit surprising.

The eight sides will compete with each other in overall 43 matches over 49 days. With lots of International cricket played parallelly, including the Ashes, India vs South Africa, Pakistan vs New Zealand, BBL assures that there is no dearth of the best cricket in the shortest format.

Here’s a look at the teams:

Sydney Thunder

After a disastrous start to their Big Bash venture in the first three seasons where they finished last in each of them, their fortunes changed as they surged upwards on the points table since the fifth edition. In 2015-16, they entered the upper half of the table and ended as winners. The team is led by Shane Watson after Michael Hussey’s retirement and there is no change expected in captaincy for the lime green coloured Thunder. The inclusion of Jos Buttler in their side is expected to spice things up.

Even though their skipper was ruled out for BPL 2017, he is in no danger of missing out on BBL. Sydney Thunder have bolstered their bowling stocks with the addition of New Zealand quick Mitchell McClenaghan. Pat Cummins and McClenaghan will be the backbone of the bowling unit.

In: Blake Macdonald, Callum Ferguson, Arjun Nair, Jos Buttler

Out: Jake Doran, Alister McDermott, Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell

Squad: Shane Watson (captain), Fawad Ahmed, Aiden Blizzard, Jos Buttler (OS), Pat Cummins, Callum Ferguson, Ryan Gibson, Chris Green, Jay Lenton, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell McClenaghan (overseas), Arjun Nair, Clint McKay, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Gurinder Sandhu, Blake Macdonald

Brisbane Heat

After emerging as champions in the second season itself, the Brisbane based outfit has not been able to manage to qualify for the semi-finals in the years that followed. The teal coloured team is led by the Brendon McCullum, who will be looking to replicate their 2012-13 feat.

Chris Lynn, the most expensive buy in BBL’s history is part of this side and even though his availability for the entire season is not certain, skipper McCullum who will be back on the field after the shoulder surgery is expected to play like the swashbuckling opener he is. Mitchell Swepson is a revelation and if he bowls in tandem with either Shadab Khan or Yasir Shah, expect fireworks.

In: Max Bryant, Brendan Doggett, Shadab Khan, Matt Renshaw, Cameron Valente, Yasir Shah

Out: Sam Badree, Alex Doolan, Andrew Fekete, Nathan Reardon, Jack Wildermuth, Tymal Mills

Squad: Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Jason Floros, Cameron Gannon, Sam Heazlett, Shadab Khan (overseas), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (Captain), Jimmy Peirson, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mitchell Swepson, Mark Steketee, Cameron Valente, Yasir Shah (international replacement)

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes, one of the biggest sporting franchises based out of Tasmania, haven’t been able to achieve victory in either of the six seasons. They came the closest in the first edition, ending as runners-up under the captaincy of Tim Paine. The side is captained by former Australian captain George Bailey, whose first task will be to ensure they fare better than what they managed in the last two seasons, finishing seventh on both occasions and do well, individually too.

Apart from Bailey, Hobart has impact players like Dan Christian, leggie Cameron Boyce and 22-year-old Ben McDermott who played one of the best T20 knocks last summer. Matthew Wade too is looking to spend a good time in the middle as he insists that he is focused on leading Hobart back into action now that he doesn’t have the uncertainty of his Test spot troubling him.

Out: Stuart Broad, Kumar Sangakkara, Shaun Tait, Beau Webster, Jonathan Wells, Dominic Michael

In: Jofra Archer, Tymal Mills, Tom Rogers, David Moody, Matt Wade

Squad: George Bailey (captain), Jofra Archer (overseas), James Bazley, Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Hamish Kingston, Ben McDermott, Simon Milenko, Tymal Mills (overseas), David Moody, Tim Paine, Jake Reed, Sam Rainbird, Tom Rogers, Clive Rose, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade

Melbourne Stars

They have at their disposal the MCG, the largest stadium in the world, and the green-coloured franchise has proved its worth as one of the most successful franchises in the tournament, both in terms popularity and performance. A team that has consistently fared well over the years as they have qualified for the semi-finals in every single edition, having won the title in 2013-14.

The side consists of multiple impact players so it won’t be surprising if their stunning record in the league only continues. With Glenn Maxwell in their side, they already have an upper hand and the addition of Ben Dunk, the leading run-scorer from last year will bolster the force of the side. Their overseas player Kevin Pietersen is another impactful player so it is unlikely that they will ever run out of options.

In: Jackson Coleman, Ben Dunk (Strikers)

Out: David Hussey (retired), Tom Triffitt

Squad: Michael Beer, Scott Boland, Jackson Coleman, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, John Hastings (captain), Ben Hilfenhaus, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen (ENG), Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Dan Worrall, Luke Wright (ENG), Adam Zampa

Melbourne Renegades

The other franchise based out of Melbourne, the red coloured Renegades have not been as successful as the Stars, but have always had popular stars in their ranks. This season, they made two big signings, bringing in Kieron Pollard and Mohammad Nabi, both proven T20 stars, in place of Sunil Narine.

Skipper Aaron Finch may have to miss out on a few matches due to national duty but in the games, he will play he will be the key to success. The addition of Kane Richardson will help them take care of the lack of fast-bowling firepower. Fit and firing again after suffering a tournament-ending injury last summer, Dwayne Bravo is T20 cricket’s all-time leading wicket-taker, a blistering batsman and a terrific fielder.

In: Tim Ludeman, Kane Richardson, Jack Wildermuth, Brad Hodge, Jon Holland, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi, Will Sutherland (rookie), Beau Webster, Kieron Pollard

Out: Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Callum Ferguson, Matthew Wade, Sunil Narine

Squad: Aaron Finch (C), Dwayne Bravo (WI), Tom Cooper, Marcus Harris, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi (AFG), James Pattinson, Kieron Pollard (WI – international replacement), Kane Richardson, Matt Short, Will Sutherland (rookie), Chris Tremain, Guy Walker, Beau Webster, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth

Perth Scorchers

The defending champions having won three back to back titles is without a doubt the most successful team in the history of the league. Adam Voges has led the side well and it won’t be surprising if the orange-coloured side is able to create another record by winning the fourth title. Michael Klinger is the leading run-scorer in BBL history, and remains Mr Consistent for the Scorchers.

In a squad stacked with wicket-taking quicks, it’s the recent form of Nathan Coulter-Nile that sets him apart from the rest. He is out with an injury at the moment but likely to be back for the tournament. Their lone overseas signing of David Willey is a good one since he has had a good outing at Perth.

In: Cameron Green, Josh Inglis

Out: Ian Bell (Overseas), James Muirhead

Squad: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Voges (Captain), Sam Whiteman, David Willey (Overseas)

Sydney Sixers

With two English batting guns and some young Aussie power hitters in their squad, the Sixers are capable of enhancing their record in the tournament. They succeeded the New South Wales from the T20 Big Bash days, and won the tournament in their inaugural season in 2011-12 and followed it with a Champions League T20 win the next year, but haven’t been able to repeat those exploits since. The magenta-coloured side finished third last year, and will be led by Moises Henriques this time.

Henriques will be a key player along with leading wicket-taker from last season, Sean Abott. They are both highly consistent and are explosive with the bat. He’ll likely only be available for the first part of the season before international duty calls, but Jason Roy is one player capable of creating an impact.

Out: Ryan Carters, Brad Haddin, Michael Lumb and Joe Mennie

In: William Somerville, Henry Thornton, Harry Conway and Ryan Carters

Squad: Sean Abbott, Sam Billings (overseas), Jackson Bird, Johan Botha, Ben Dwarshuis, Mickey Edwards, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques (captain), Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Steve O’Keefe, Jason Roy (overseas), Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc, Henry Thornton

Adelaide Strikers

Successors to the Southern Redbacks, the Adelaide Strikers haven’t won a title yet, and have found themselves somewhere in the middle of the table throughout the six seasons. They started off with Michael Klinger as captain in the first year, but now have Travis Head as their skipper, who will now become Strikers’ youngest captain in the history of the competition.

Rashid Khan’s presence in the side alone could mean a lot for this side but Ben Laughlin, Travis Head and Billy Stanlake in particular have the ability to go all the way. They have former pacer Jason Gillespie as the coach.

In: Colin Ingram, Rashid Khan.

Out: Brad Hodge, Kieron Pollard, Adil Rashid, Tim Ludeman, Kane Richardson, Craig Simmons.

Squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Jonathon Dean, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Colin Ingram, Travis Head, Kelvin Smith, Jonathan Wells, Rashid Khan