Every BBL10 team’s best line-up and Round 1 side predicted

The Big Bash is going to have more big names than ever before — this is how each team is likely to line-up in Round 1 and how their best sides will look.

The signings have come quicker than a Shaun Tait bouncer in the past two weeks.

But with most BBL squads close to being finalised, we finally have a clearer picture of how every team could line-up.

International duties and quarantine requirements will dictate the availability of some of BBL10’s marquee signings, but there will still be plenty of talent on show from Round 1.

Knowing who will be available and when is vital if you’re going to be successful in KFC SuperCoach.

Tim Michell and Tom Sangster have predicted how each team will line up in their first game of BBL10 and put their heads together to come up with the best side possible for each franchise.

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Jon Wells was a prolific run scorer for the Strikers last season.

STRIKERS

BEST TEAM

Phil Salt

Jake Weatherald

Travis Head

Alex Carey

Jon Wells

Matthew Short

Rashid Khan

Michael Neser

Peter Siddle

Wes Agar

Danny Briggs

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Tim Michell

Phil Salt

Jake Weatherald

Matthew Renshaw

Jon Wells

Matthew Short

Harry Neilsen

Rashid Khan

Peter Siddle

Wes Agar

Dan Worrall

Danny Briggs

*Travis Head on Test duties, Michael Neser and Alex Carey Australia A

Tom Sangster

Jake Weatherald

Phil Salt

Matt Renshaw

Jon Wells

Matt Short

Harry Nielsen

Rashid Khan

Peter Siddle

Wes Agar

Dan Worrall

Danny Briggs

*Phil Salt available after missing England squad

*Michael Neser, Alex Carey to be playing for Australia A

TEAM ANALYSIS: The Strikers are shaping as a title contender again. The addition of Matthew Renshaw will give them an extra bowling option in the power play and allow Rashid Khan to be held back for the middle overs when he’s at his most dangerous. As good as Jon Wells was last summer, Adelaide would ideally like to be relying on him less for runs. If Renshaw, Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey fire while Travis Head is on Test duties, the Strikers should set a foundation for a finals tilt. They could use another experienced paceman to complement Peter Siddle and Michael Neser, although the dual threat of Danny Briggs and Rashid Khan will make them dangerous.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jon Wells BAT — KFC SuperCoaches are generally advised to stick to top-four batsmen but Wells, who usually bats No. 5, was the exception last season. Adelaide’s top-order faltered enough that he spent long stints in the middle and finished the tournament with a team-high 478 runs at an average of 68.3. He won’t come cheap this summer after he was the No. 2 ranked BAT for overall points in BBL09 behind Alex Hales. Wells has established himself as one of the premier finishers in the BBL.

Skipper Chris Lynn will have a major role to play again for Brisbane Heat.

HEAT

BEST TEAM

Max Bryant

Tom Banton

Chris Lynn

Marnus Labuschagne

Lewis Gregory

Jimmy Peirson

Jack Wildermuth

Mitch Swepson

Morne Morkel

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Ben Laughlin

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Tim Michell

Max Bryant

Chris Lynn

Dan Lawrence

Tom Cooper

Sam Heazlett

Jimmy Peirson

Jack Wildermuth

Morne Morkel

Ben Laughlin

Xavier Bartlett

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

*Joe Burns in Test squad, Mitch Swepson and Mark Steketee Australia A.

*Tom Banton and Lewis Gregory in South Africa.

Tom Sangster

Chris Lynn

Dan Lawrence

Tom Cooper

Sam Heazlett

James Bazley

Jimmy Peirson

Jack Wildermuth

Matt Kuhnemann

Ben Laughlin

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Morne Morkel

* Lewis Gregory (England) out until after Christmas. Tom Banton also a huge chance to miss start of BBL after being named reserve player for England tour of South Africa, set to be replaced at Heat by exciting English youngster Dan Lawrence

TEAM ANALYSIS: AB de Villiers not returning is a blow, but in Wildermuth and Cooper the Heat have added two players who will be hungry to impress after having limited opportunities at Melbourne Renegades. Bryant, Banton and Lynn and certainties for the top-three batting spots when the English young gun in available, while Mujeeb, Swepson, Morkel and Laughlin will be key figures with the ball. Beyond them, there should be early opportunities for players such as Cooper and Wildermuth to cement themselves in the XI.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Tom Banton WKP-BAT — The Englishman didn’t waste much time making an impact in the BBL in his maiden campaign with Brisbane Heat, finishing a seven-game stint with 223 runs at a crazy strike rate of 177. The highlight was a blistering knock of 56 from 19 balls in a rain-reduced match against Sydney Thunder. With England’s white-ball players expected to be available from about Christmas, Banton has a platform to become a staple of KFC SuperCoach teams.

D’Arcy Short will be available for most of the tournament in a huge boost for the Hurricanes.

HURRICANES

BEST TEAM

Matthew Wade

D’Arcy Short

Dawid Malan

Will Jacks

Peter Handscomb

Ben McDermott

James Faulkner

Keemo Paul

Nathan Ellis

Riley Meredith

Sandeep Lamichhane

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Tim Michell

D’Arcy Short

Will Jacks

Colin Ingram

Peter Handscomb

Mac Wright

Ben McDermott

James Faulkner

Scott Boland

Nathan Ellis

Riley Meredith

Wil Parker

*Matthew Wade to be in Test squad

Tom Sangster

D’Arcy Short

Mac Wright

Will Jacks

Peter Handscomb

Colin Ingram

Ben McDermott

James Faulkner

Scott Boland

Nathan Ellis

Riley Meredith

Wil Parker

* Dawid Malan (England) likely out until Christmas.

TEAM ANALYSIS: Talk about a STACKED batting line-up. Mac Wright was a revelation last season but even he’s not guaranteed a game when Matthew Wade returns from Test duties. A top-six of Wade, Short, Malan, Jacks, Handscomb and McDermott might be as potent as the BBL has ever seen, especially if they play together on a Hobart pitch which has traditionally been one of the highest-scoring grounds in the BBL. No frontline spinner is a concern for the early rounds, but that will change once Sandeep Lamichanne arrives. With Riley Meredith, Scott Boland and Nathan Ellis, the Hurricanes have a strong pace trio who complement each other nicely. West Indian Keemo Paul and James Faulkner will offer variety with the ball and handy batting at the death.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Peter Handscomb WKP-BAT — Expect the former Melbourne Stars batsman to take the gloves while Matthew Wade is on Test duties until Round 9. Handscomb only faced 146 balls in 12 BBL09 matches as record breaker Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell did the bulk of the scoring for Melbourne Stars. Still on the outer from the Test team, he has a huge point to prove in a power-packed Hurricanes line-up.

Aussie ODI skipper Aaron Finch will be out to lift the Renegades back into finals contention.

RENEGADES

BEST TEAM

Aaron Finch

Shaun Marsh

Rilee Roussow

Sam Harper

Beau Webster

Mohammad Nabi

Cameron Boyce

James Pattinson

Josh Lalor

Kane Richardson

Imran Tahir

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Tim Michell

Aaron Finch

Sam Harper

Shaun Marsh

Rilee Roussow

Beau Webster

Mohammad Nabi

Cameron Boyce

Josh Lalor

Kane Richardson

Mitch Perry

Noor Ahmad

*Imran Tahir joins the Renegades after Christmas. James Pattinson named in Test squad and not guaranteed to be released for BBL.

Tom Sangster

Aaron Finch

Shaun Marsh

Rilee Roussow

Sam Harper

Beau Webster

Mohammad Nabi

Jack Prestwidge

Cameron Boyce

Kane Richardson

Josh Lalor

Noor Ahmad

*Will Sutherland named in Australia A squad to face India.

TEAM ANALYSIS: The Renegades have a reasonably strong best XI despite their struggles last season. Mohammad Nabi was a key contributor in the run home with bat and ball and the more of the tournament he’s available for the better. Ditto Aaron Finch, the Aussie white-ball skipper who has a formidable record in the BBL and blazed a ton against the reigning champion Sydney Sixers last season. James Pattinson won’t play often, but the Renegades will be very KFC SuperCoach relevant if young guns Will Sutherland and Jake Fraser-McGurk feature early enough.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Beau Webster BAT — Webster was one of the best KFC SuperCoach cheapies of BBL09 after starting at $62k. The middle-order batsman produced four scores of 65 or more from rounds 2-6 and three scores of more than 90 for the campaign. Webster was a shining light in a disappointing tournament from the defending champion with 425 runs at 42.5. Now it’s about producing those numbers consistently.

Sydney Sixers skipper Moises Henriques tees off in the BBL09 decider.

SIXERS

BEST TEAM

Daniel Hughes

Josh Philippe

James Vince

Moises Henriques

Dan Christian

Jordan Silk

Carlos Brathwaite

Tom Curran

Sean Abbott

Ben Dwarshuis

Nathan Lyon

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Tim Michell

Daniel Hughes

Josh Philippe

James Vince

Dan Christian

Jordan Silk

Jack Edwards

Carlos Brathwaite

Ben Dwarshuis

Jackson Bird

Stephen O’Keefe

Lloyd Pope

*Tom Curran to be in quarantine after SA vs England series. Nathan Lyon to be in Test squad.

Tom Sangster

Daniel Hughes

Josh Philippe

James Vince

Jack Edwards

Jordan Silk

Dan Christian

Carlos Brathwaite

Ben Dwarshuis

Stephen O’Keefe

Jackson Bird

Lloyd Pope

* Tom Curran (England) out until after Christmas.

* James Vince available after missing England squad.

* Mitchell Starc has signed for Sixers but won’t play early due to Test duties.

* Sean Abbott, Moises Henriques and Jackson Bird both in Australia A squad.

* Nathan Lyon in Test squad.

TEAM ANALYSIS: The reigning champions should be title favourite for BBL10 after keeping much of their title-winning squad together. The Sixers have enviable depth in every facet and the additions of Dan Christian and Carlos Brathwaite give them another two extra weapons with bat and ball. Veteran Stephen O’Keefe, Ben Manenti and Lloyd Pope will rotate through the spin roles, with the Sixers’ bowling line-up built around Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott. They deserve to be title favourites.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Dan Christian BAT-BWL — The veteran all-rounder will feature for his fourth BBL club this summer after leading Nottinghhamshire to the English Vitality Blast title. His role at the Sixers will determine his KFC SuperCoach relevancy. Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott will be the first-choice seam trio but if Christian is bowling regularly he will be a popular pick.

Skipper Mitch Marsh plays a prominent role with bat and ball for the Scorchers.

SCORCHERS

BEST TEAM

Jason Roy

Liam Livingstone

Colin Munro

Josh Inglis

Mitchell Marsh

Cameron Green

Ashton Agar

Jhye Richardson

Andrew Tye

Jason Behrendorff

Fawad Ahmed

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Tim Michell

Josh Inglis

Colin Munro

Joe Clarke

Sam Whiteman

Cameron Bancroft

Ashton Turner

Jhye Richardson

Andrew Tye

Jason Behrendorff

Matthew Kelly

Fawad Ahmad

*Mitch Marsh left out due to ankle injury — could play as a batsman. Has been named in Australia A squad along with Ashton Agar.

Tom Sangster

Josh Inglis

Colin Munro

Joe Clarke

Cameron Bancroft

Ashton Turner

Sam Whiteman

Jhye Richardson

Andrew Tye

Jason Behrendorff

Matthew Kelly

Fawad Ahmad

* Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone (England) out until after Christmas

* Englishman Joe Clarke was the fifth-highest run scorer in the recent Vitality Blast.

* Cameron Green in Test and Australia A squads

TEAM ANALYSIS: Look out if the Scorchers get a better run with injuries this season. That might be a long shot, with skipper Mitch Marsh to possibly start BBL10 playing as a batsman due to a syndesmosis injury he suffered in the IPL. Jhye Richardson had shoulder surgery earlier this year but is confident of being at his best, while the return of Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye would be a significant boost. The Australian pair both missed BBL09 due to injuries. The Scorchers will have enviable batting depth once Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone are available. Their compatriot Joe Clarke will be a top-order mainstay in the early rounds as a replacement player. Their arrival from South Africa could lead to a player such as Cameron Bancroft or Ashton Turner being squeezed out.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Andrew Tye BWL — The Aussie T20 seamer missed BBL09 after elbow surgery and Perth Scorchers will be desperate to have him back to his bamboozling best. Tye was the Scorchers’ leading wicket-taker two summers ago with 17 wickets. He bowls at death when most wickets fall and when bulk KFC SuperCoach points are scored. He could be a perfect bench pick with Perth on the double in Round 3.

Glenn Maxwell will lead Melbourne Stars again this season.

STARS

BEST TEAM

Marcus Stoinis

Jonny Bairstow

Glenn Maxwell

Nicholas Pooran

Will Pucovski

Nic Maddinson

Seb Gotch

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Adam Zampa

Billy Stanlake

Zahir Khan

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Tim Michell

Marcus Stoinis

Hilton Cartwright

Nick Larkin

Glenn Maxwell

Nicholas Pooran*

Seb Gotch

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Clint Hinchliffe

Adam Zampa

Zahir Khan

Billy Stanlake

*Pooran could still be in New Zealand with West Indies.

*Will Pucovski in Test squad and Australia A. Nic Maddinson in Australia A squad.

Tom Sangster

Marcus Stoinis

Hilton Cartwright

Glenn Maxwell

Ben Dunk

Seb Gotch

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Clint Hinchliffe

Adam Zampa

Lance Morris

Billy Stanlake

Zahir Khan

* Jonny Bairstow (England) out until after Christmas

TEAM ANALYSIS: Still several questions marks over the Stars, especially if Bairstow and Pooran both miss Round 1. Adam Zampa should be available for most, if not all of the tournament, while Billy Stanlake has a point to prove after a below-par BBL09 with Adelaide Strikers. At their best they'll boast one of the most powerful sides in the competition but the early rounds could be their undoing. With Haris Rauf ruled out due to international duties, they need another experienced quick to help Nathan Coulter-Nile.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Marcus Stoinis — A mystery injury kept Stoinis from bowling more than two overs in BBL09, much to the chagrin of KFC SuperCoach teams. However, the all-rounder has been a more regular bowler in the Indian Premier League which bodes well for his prospects with the Stars. He made up for his absence with the ball by scoring a record 705 runs last season including his 147 not out against Sydney Sixers — a score which attracted 244 points.

THUNDER

Thunder skipper Callum Ferguson will lead one of the title favourites in BBL10.

BEST TEAM

Alex Hales

Usman Khawaja

Callum Ferguson

Alex Ross

Sam Billings

Ben Cutting

Daniel Sams

Chris Green

Jono Cook

Adam Milne

Chris Tremain

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Tim Michell

Alex Hales

Usman Khawaja

Callum Ferguson

Alex Ross

Matthew Gilkes

Ben Cutting

Daniel Sams

Chris Green

Jono Cook

Adam Milne

Chris Tremain

Tom Sangster

Alex Hales

Usman Khawaja

Callum Ferguson

Alex Ross

Matthew Gilkes

Ben Cutting

Daniel Sams

Chris Green

Jono Cook

Brendan Doggett

Chris Tremain

* Sam Billings (England) out until after Christmas

* Alex Hales missed the England squad and is free to play.

TEAM ANALYSIS: Could it be an all-Sydney decider in BBL10? The Thunder are one experienced paceman short of having claims to title favouritism after landing big-hitting all-rounder Ben Cutting from Brisbane Heat. The Thunder lacked a power hitter at the death last season but Cutting’s addition will alleviate that issue. Chris Green’s return to bowling is another plus and his form has been strong in other T20 competitions. Hard to see a way into a strong batting line-up for young gun Oliver Davies, but the Thunder will be keen to expose one of Australia’s most-exciting batting talents at some stage.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Chris Green — Cleared to bowl again in June, Green took nine wickets in 11 games in the Caribbean Premier League, where he was captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The spinner only conceded 5.7 runs an over during that tournament and if he can replicate those numbers in BBL10 he’ll bank valuable economy rate bonuses. He only had three wickets in seven BBL09 games before being suspended, however he was the Thunder’s most economical bowler.

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Originally published as Every BBL10 team’s best line-up and Round 1 side predicted