BBL08: Ultimate guide to the Big Bash 2018-19 season
The Big Bash season is almost upon us. You know your own team inside out, the new comers and the heroes but what about the enemy? Sam Landsberger looks at every team in the competition.
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The Big Bash season is almost upon us. You know your own team inside out, the new comers and the heroes but what about the enemy?
Sam Landsberger runs the rule over every team in the competition.
ADELAIDE STRIKERS
Last year: Champions (9-3)
Marquee player: Rashid Khan (Afg)
What’s the right mindset facing Khan? Protect your wicket and chew up valuable balls or hit out, and likely get out? The legspinning prodigy rarely gives up a boundary.
X-Factor: Alex Carey (Aus)
Australia’s ODI vice-captain and keeper was dubbed a “gun in all facets” by the great Adam Gilchrist. Enough said.
Sam says: Took BBL by storm last summer with a youthful line-up bursting with energy and acrobatic field catches. Batting firepower coupled with Khan means they should be extending the trophy cabinet.
BRISBANE HEAT
Last year: 7th (4-6)
Marquee player: Chris Lynn (Aus)
Forget Lynn’s flimsy international record, he has crunched 1607 runs at a strike-rate of 156 for the Heat. Dodgy shoulder hurts his fielding but not his rope-clearing.
X-Factor: Brendon McCullum (NZ)
The little Kiwi remains a shrewd tactical thinker who will be able to help new captain Lynn. Oh, and at 37 the batting dynamite remains.
Sam says: Bat speed – courtesy of ‘Bash Brothers’ Lynn and McCullum – once again the strength. But they have finally invested more in the ball by signing strike quick James Pattinson.
HOBART HURRICANES
Last year: Runner-up (6-6)
Marquee player: D’Arcy Short
Billed as the new David Warner for his blazing style and was backed as a Test smokey last summer. Fun to watch.
X-Factor: Jofra Archer
Signed late as a replacement player, he was the find of last summer. Searing pace and swagger earned him instant cult hero status. Eligible to play for England in next year’s Ashes.
Sam says: In an era of slower-ball saturation in T20, the Hurricanes will again look to overheat the speed gun with Archer and Tymal Mills. Short helped shoot them to the final and if he again catches fire they will be the wildcard.
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Last year: 4th (6-5)
Marquee player: Aaron Finch
Finch has been the poster boy since day dot. With him in the Test whites, could stalwart Tom Cooper emerge from the shadows?
X-Factor: Dan Christian
T20 success has long stalked Christian and he is a crowd pleaser. Remember that 117m six launched on to the Gabba roof?
Sam says: The BBL’s chameleon – a flexible squad able to transform depending on the opposition. Replacing Finch and Harris at the top a hard ask though.
MELBOURNE STARS
Last year: Last (2-9)
Marquee player: Dwayne Bravo
Bravo’s three kids are named after him – daughter Dwaynice and sons Dwayne Bravo Jr (DJ) and Dwade. Doesn’t that say it all for the king of cool the Stars stole from the Renegades?
X-Factor: Glenn Maxwell
No more Shane Warne, no more KP … Maxi is now the man. And you sense he might relish it. True all-rounder – explosive batter, handy bowler and rocket-armed fielder.
Sam says: Stars have loaded up on legspin after an overdue list rejuvenation following last summer’s stale stench.
PERTH SCORCHERS
Last year: 3rd (8-3)
Marquee player: Mitchell Marsh
The Test team’s loss should be the Scorchers’ gain. World-class all-rounder gives new coach Adam Voges yet another superstar in his overloaded line-up.
X-Factor: Ashton Turner
WA native Brad Hogg reckons this bloke could captain Australia. Smart cricket brain pairs well with his hard hitting.
Sam says: A lethal fast bowling attack which can defend tiny totals. But will it fire on the new Perth Stadium pitch (and not the bouncy WACA?)
SYDNEY SIXERS
Last year: 5th (4-6)
Marquee player: Sean Abbott
Impressive quick who picked up 13 wickets last summer, including 10 in three hot games.
X-Factor: Lloyd Pope
A young legspinner with flaming red hair. If Pope – who skittled England with 8-35 in the Under-19 World Cup – gets going, the fans will flock.
Sam says: Rattled home with six-straight wins last summer but it again looks a squad thin on match-winners.
SYDNEY THUNDER
Last year: 6th (4-6)
Marquee player: Joe Root (Eng)
David Warner’s old sparring partner will make his debut in an overseas T20 league. England Test captain was dropped by their T20 line-up this year.
X-Factor: Jos Buttler
Joe brings the class and countryman Jos brings the fireworks. Averaged 34 and struck two half-centuries from six Thunder games last summer.
Sam says: The perennial underachiever – save for their shock championship season – they have signed new coach Shane Bond (NZ) in search for a shake-up.
SAM LANDSBERGER’S PREDICTED LADDER
1. Scorchers
2. Strikers
3. Hurricanes
4. Heat
5. Stars
6. Renegades
7. Thunder
8. Sixers
📈 SCORING SYSTEM 📈
— SuperCoach BBL (@SuperCoachBBL) December 5, 2018
Picking your team in #SuperCoach is one thing, but unless you're picking the players who can earn you the most, you'll be up against it. Get familiarised with the scoring system!https://t.co/FGhUU0TSp2
THE HONOUR ROLL
BBL01 Sydney Sixers (Champ) Perth Scorchers (runner up)
BBL02 Brisbane Heat Perth Scorchers
BBL03 Perth Scorchers Hobart Hurricanes
BBL04 Perth Scorchers Sydney Sixers
BBL05 Sydney Thunder Melbourne Stars
BBL06 Perth Scorchers Sydney Sixers
BBL07 Adelaide Strikers Hobart Hurricanes
ðŸMARK WAUGH TEAM REVEALðŸ
— Tom Sangster (@TomSangsterSC) November 28, 2018
Check out @juniorwaugh349's team for @SuperCoachBBL — he’s backing an unknown 17-year-old as “find of the yearâ€.https://t.co/WDMV25ga6E @telegraph_sport @SuperCoachNRL @supercoach @ShaneWarne @FoxCricket @heraldsunsport @cmail_sport @ThePhantomSC
BBL INTERNATIONALS
STRIKERS
Colin Ingram (Sth Afr)
Rashid Khan (Afg)
HEAT
Brendon McCullum (NZ)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afg)
HURRICANES
Jofra Archer (Eng)
Tymal Mills (Eng)
RENEGADES
Mohammad Nabi (Afg)
Usman Shinwari (Pakistan)
*Harry Gurney (Eng)*
STARS
Dwayne Bravo (WI)
Sandeep Lamichhane (Nep)
*Liam Plunkett (Eng)
SCORCHERS
David Willey (Eng)
Usman Qadir (Pak)
SIXERS
Joe Denly (Eng)
TBC
THUNDER
Jos Buttler (Eng)
Joe Root (Eng)
*Anton Devcich (NZ)
*Chris Jordan (Eng)
*Denotes replacement player
Originally published as BBL08: Ultimate guide to the Big Bash 2018-19 season
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