BBL15 predicted teams: How every XI will line up for Big Bash
The Hurricanes are chasing back-to-back glory but who can stop them? We’ve predicted every BBL15 XI and mapped out where the international stars fit to power your SuperCoach plans.
The BBL has never had this much star power.
With Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam and Sam Curran among the internationals signed for BBL15, it is shaping as the biggest BBL tournament yet.
And that’s before you factor in the Australian stars, who will feature in the run home and finals after the Ashes.
With commitments to the Test side and other T20 franchise leagues factored in, this is how we think every side will line up to start BBL15 — and the big selection talking points.
REST OF SQUAD: Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Thomas Kelly, Mackenzie Harvey, Travis Head
VACANT SPOTS: 1
THE BIG SELECTION CALL: Harvey or Ross? — Mackenzie Harvey has performed strongly in white-ball cricket since moving to South Australia as an opener. He could partner Matt Short, shuffling Chris Lynn to No. 3, Jason Sangha to No. 4 and Liam Scott to No.5. Tim Paine likes to play two spinners too, so Boyce could replace Henry Thornton in the team above. That would give Adelaide two spinners, four seam options (including Liam Scott) and the part-time spin of Sangha if needed.
INJURY WATCH: TBC
ASHES WATCH: Alex Carey, Travis Head —Both won’t feature for the Strikers until mid-January.
SIGN UP TO SUPERCOACH BBL HERE
REST OF SQUAD: Lachie Hearne, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Jimmy Peirson, Spencer Johnson, Callum Vidler, Oli Paterson
VACANT SPOTS: 0
THE BIG SELECTION CALL:Hugh Weibgen, Lachie Hearne and Nathan McSweeney —You would suspect McSweeney has to play, which would squeeze out Hearne and Weibgen given Usman Khawaja looks likely to be available for the full season (should he be released from the Ashes squad). Khawaja will miss the Brisbane Test due to injury and appears a long shot to force his way back in.
INJURY WATCH:Spencer Johnson and Callum Vidler — Strike weapon Johnson has been struggling with a back issue but remains hopeful of featuring in BBL15. Vidler went down with a stress fracture in his back in September and is unlikely to feature in this summer’s BBL, which could present an opportunity for Oli Patterson to debut.
ASHES WATCH: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw — Khawaja has been left out of the Brisbane Test due to a back issue and looks more likely than unlikely to be available at the start of BBL15 now. Labuschagne won’t play until mid-January, while Renshaw is still far enough down the pecking order he should be available for the Heat.
REST OF SQUAD: Marcus Bean, Iain Carlisle, Beau Webster, Billy Stanlake, Mac Wright
VACANT SPOTS: 2
THE BIG SELECTION CALL:Who opens with Mitch Owen? Jake Weatherald was the leading run scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season but he looks set to be Travis Head’s opening partner for the rest of the Ashes. The Hurricanes preferred Matthew Wade in the middle order last season which makes Ben McDermott the most likely candidate. Beau Webster will slot in at No.3 if he’s released from the Test squad.
INJURY WATCH:Billy Stanlake, Beau Webster —Stanlake was injured in a recent game against NSW but was back bowling by October 20. Webster had an ankle injury earlier this summer but has been fine since late October.
ASHES WATCH:Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster —The Hurricanes are at the whim of the Aussie selectors, who could rob them of two members of the top six from their Best XI. Mac Wright and Nikhil Chaudhary are waiting in the wings.
REST OF SQUAD: Ollie Peake, Josh Brown, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Lyon, Callum Stow, Will Salzman, Andrew Tye (injury replacement player for Salzmann).
VACANT SPOTS: 1
THE BIG SELECTION CALL: Who partners Rizwan? —Josh Brown is entering the second year of a two-year contract with the Renegades but is no certainty to start the season after Caleb Jewell’s move from Hobart. Brown averaged 20.3 in his first season as a Renegade but never found the form which made him a hero at Brisbane Heat. Only two of Ollie Peake, Harry Dixon and Hassan Khan are likely to start the season. Peake’s form likely has him ahead of Dixon in the battle for the No.5 spot.
INJURY WATCH: TBC
ASHES WATCH: Nathan Lyon— The Aussie Test tweaker signed a three-year deal with the Renegades in August, 2023, but is yet to debut in red. That’s likely to change later this summer.
REST OF SQUAD: Sam Harper, Austin Anlezark, Scott Boland, Liam Hatcher, Hamish McKenzie
VACANT SPOTS: 2
THE BIG SELECTION CALL: The top order — Too much has been left to Maxwell, Stoinis and Cartwright in recent seasons. Joe Clarke’s full-time return will help, but the Stars need more from Campbell Kellaway, Tom Rogers and Sam Harper. Their squad is stacked with bowlers but looks light on for batters, so at least two of these three will likely be in the side which starts BBL15.
INJURY WATCH: Glenn Maxwell —Maxwell suffered a fractured arm in late September but won’t have any issues being ready for the BBL.
ASHES WATCH:Scott Boland — Pat Cummins’ back injury means Boland will almost certainly be a fixture in the Australian squad for the full Ashes series.
REST OF SQUAD: Joel Paris, Bryce Jackson, Nick Hobson, Sam Fanning, David Payne (ILT20), Lance Morris, Brody Couch
VACANT SPOTS: 0
BIG SELECTION CALL: The quicks —For so long Perth’s quicks have been Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye and Jhye Richardson. Depending on Richardson’s recovery from shoulder surgery, all three might be missing at the start of BBL15. Behrendorff has joined Melbourne Renegades and Tye is yet to re-sign. Matt Kelly, Mahli Beardman and import David Payne should feature prominently — although Payne is only signed for 4-6 games plus finals and won’t arrive until after the ILT20.
INJURY WATCH: Lance Morris, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Mahli Beardman — Morris won’t play this summer due to a back injury. Mahli Beardman had a back stress fracture mid-year but was back in Western Australia’s squad by mid-October. Richardson has been recovering from shoulder surgery. Paris suffered a hamstring injury against NSW in mid-October and will need to be managed through the BBL.
ASHES WATCH: Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, Jhye Richardson — Aussie coach Andrew McDonald has flagged Inglis and Marsh as potential wildcards to feature in the Ashes. Inglis is the frontrunner to bat in the middle-order, replacing Travis Head at No.5 in Brisbane. Nick Hobson or Sam Fanning will come into the Scorchers’ XI.
REST OF SQUAD: Sam Curran (ILT20), Lachlan Shaw, Kane Richardson, Joel Davies, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
VACANT SPOTS: 0
BIG SELECTION CALL:Does Daniel Hughes play? Jack Edwards has opened the batting in the BBL and could take the No. 3 spot. That would leave the Sixers stacked for bowling options. Todd Murphy or Jafer Chohan as the No. 1 spinner is a 50-50 call but both are a chance to play early before Sam Curran arrives from the ILT20.
INJURY WATCH: Sean Abbott — withdrew from the first Test squad due to a hamstring injury and hasn’t played for New South Wales since November 10.
ASHES WATCH: Steve Smith, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc — Smith won’t play until the middle of January. Starc has said he’s going to play in BBL15 but who knows if that will be the case if he’s needed to play all five of the Ashes Tests.
REST OF SQUAD: Wes Agar, Ryan Hadley, Sam Konstas, Blake Nikitaris, Aidan O’Connor, Lockie Ferguson (ILT20), Matt Gilkes, Ravi Ashwin, Nathan McAndrew
VACANT SPOTS: 0
BIG SELECTION CALL: How many spinners is too many? Chris Green is a lock and Shadab Khan is one of the best T20 all-rounders to come to the BBL. Daniel Sams at least gives the attack some flexibility if the Thunder goes in with four spinners. Tanveer Sangha or Tom Andrews will likely be squeezed out on quicker pitches, especially once Lockie Ferguson arrives after the ILT20. Englishman Reece Topley will feature until Ferguson arrives.
INJURY WATCH: Ravi Ashwin — The Indian superstar has withdrawn from BBL15 after suffering a knee injury.
ASHES WATCH: Sam Konstas —Konstas’ odds of being picked at any stage of the Ashes look remote, with talk he might even miss selection for a match against England Lions.
SIGN UP TO SUPERCOACH BBL HERE
Originally published as BBL15 predicted teams: How every XI will line up for Big Bash
1-20: Biggest SuperCoach BBL bargains of BBL15 ranked
