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.

Cricket team captains (L-R) Marcus North of Perth Scorchers, Michael Klinger of Adelaide Strikers, Andrew McDonald of Melbourne Renegades, David Warner of Sydney Thunder, James Hopes of Brisbane Heat, Tim Paine of Hobart Hurricanes, Brad Haddin of Sydney Sixers and Cameron White of Melbourne Stars at the launch of the Twenty20 Big Bash competition at the CarriageWorks in Sydney.

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.

Cricket team captains for BBL08

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.

Sport.Cricket Liftout.Scott Boland of the Melbourne Stars and Jon Holland of the Melbourne Renegades face off for their upcoming battle. Picture : Ian Currie

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 📈

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

— SuperCoach BBL (@SuperCoachBBL) December 5, 2018

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

🏏MARK WAUGH TEAM REVEAL🏏

Check out @juniorwaugh349's team for @SuperCoachBBL — he’s backing an unknown 17-year-old as “find of the year”.https://t.co/WDMV25ga6E @telegraph_sport @SuperCoachNRL @supercoach @ShaneWarne @FoxCricket @heraldsunsport @cmail_sport @ThePhantomSC

— Tom Sangster (@TomSangsterSC) November 28, 2018

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