Former England captain Michael Vaughan and Sam Landsberger preview new BBL season
Adelaide Strikers are the defending Big Bash League champions, can they win it again or will another team knock them off? Former England captain Michael Vaughan and Sam Landsberger preview every team’s season and deliver their BBL08 predictions.
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Can any team knock off titleholder Adelaide Strikers in an expanded Big Bash League this summer? SAM LANDSBERGER and former England captain MICHAEL VAUGHAN investigate.
BBL08: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE NEW SEASON
CONFIRMED: FINAL SQUADS FOR EVERY BBL TEAM
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Captain: Aaron Finch
Coach: Andrew McDonald
Grounds: Marvel Stadium, GMHBA Stadium
BBL07: 4th (6-5)
Key ins: Dan Christian, Cam Boyce (both Hurricanes), Usman Shinwari.
Key outs: Dwayne Bravo (Stars), James Pattinson (Heat), Brad Hodge (retired).
World imports: Mohammad Nabi (Afgh), Shinwari (Pak), Harry Gurney (Eng).
Aussies: Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman (wk), Joe Mennie, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Chris Tremain, Beau Webster, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth.
Availability: Openers Finch and Harris are in Perth on Test duty. Harris could sneak in about three BBL games between the India and Sri Lanka Test series although Finch might not feature in the BBL if he keeps his place in the whites and also captains Australia in the ODI series. Gurney will replace fellow left-arm quick Shinwari after seven BBL games. All-rounder Sutherland (back) can’t bowl and won’t be picked as a specialist batsman. Batsman Harvey (shoulder) will return after Christmas and is the teenager to watch this summer. Keeper Sam Harper (ex-Stars) and quick Andrew Fekete (ex-Thunder) could be signed as replacements.
Crowd puller: Red wine gets better with age and White, 35, shares similar qualities. Does that make him White wine? The right-hander made 119 in last week’s Sheffield Shield game and is rated by Glenn Maxwell as one of Victorian’s best tacticians ever. Will he open the batting or stay at No.3?
MICHAEL VAUGHAN SAYS: “They were a good team last year and had the best bowling attack in the competition — plenty of know-how and experience. They’re a bit of an old boys squad — Cameron White is 35, Dan Christian is 35, Mohammad Nabi is 33. Can their bodies last the distance? They’ll miss Dwayne Bravo and there’s probably not enough power with the bat. Big responsibility falls on White and with Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris in the Test team they may struggle.”
BBL SUPERCOACH: FIVE BARGAINS ADDED TO CHEAPIE BIBLE
KING: SHANE WARNE MAKES FIVE CHANGES TO SUPERCOACH TEAM
MELBOURNE STARS
Captain: Glenn Maxwell (new)
Coach: Stephen Fleming
Ground: MCG, Metricon Stadium, Moe
BBL07: Last (2-9)
Key ins: Dwayne Bravo (Renegades), Nic Maddinson (Sixers), Sandeep Lamichhane.
Key outs: Kevin Pietersen, John Hastings (both retired), James Faulkner (Hurricanes), Luke Wright.
World imports: Dwayne Bravo (WI), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Liam Plunkett (Eng).
Aussies: Michael Beer, Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk (wk), Seb Gotch (wk), Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb (wk), Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa.
Availability: Maddinson’s broken arm and Gotch’s finger injury will sideline both batsmen until mid-January. Swing bowler Worrall has a back injury while Maxwell, Stoinis and Zampa are likely to miss about four BBL games in January for the ODI series. Handscomb will only play about four BBL games between the Test series, unless he is dropped. The Stars are scouring the country for replacement players.
Crowd puller: Maxwell’s jaw dropped when Stoinis hit an extraordinary leading edge for six off spinner Jon Holland in last week’s Shield game at the MCG. Coach Stephen Fleming noted Stoinis is “pleasant on the eye” and with such batting power he is in the right form to go bonkers in the BBL. Shane Warne wants him in the Test team.
MICHAEL VAUGHAN SAYS: “The Stars can be the surprise packet. I think they’ll produce pitches that spin and make the boundaries as big as possible at the MCG. Pack the team full of spinners like Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane, clever bowlers. Nic Maddinson’s broken arm is a blow. They can’t keep failing year after year with all that quality. I’m a big fan of their coach Stephen Fleming, a good guy and he’ll have some crafty plans.”
ADELAIDE STRIKERS
Captain: Travis Head
Coach: Jason Gillespie
Ground: Adelaide Oval, Alice Springs
BBL07: Champion (9-3)
Key ins: Matt Short (Renegades).
Key outs: Jono Dean.
World imports: Rashid Khan (Afg), Colin Ingram (Saf).
Aussies: Wes Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Cormack, David Grant, Travis Head, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O’Connor, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jono Wells, Nick Winter.
Availability: Head is unlikely to play much due to his place in the Test and ODI teams, leaving Ingram to lead the Strikers. Carey is vice-captain of Australia’s ODI team and will disappear for a couple of BBL games in January. Strikers are healthy and Short should walk straight into the championship side.
Crowd puller: Crowds erupted for all of Rashid Khan’s 18 wicket celebrations (equal No.1 in competition) last summer. The leg-spinner bowls fast through the air, more than 90km/h, and is harder to pick than Melbourne’s weather. Would you believe he started as an opening batsman and reckons his younger brother is an even better tweaker?
MICHAEL VAUGHAN SAYS: “The best team. Rashid Khan is just an incredible bowler. The best bowler in the tournament who can change a game in an over. Travis Head is a big loss — a good captain, very consistent batsman. Alex Carey is a very good player, Colin Ingram, Billy Stanlake, “Banana Man” Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald got a hundred in last year’s final. They’ve got plenty there. I look at squads that might not get affected too much by national call-ups. The Strikers will lose a couple, probably Carey and Stanlake, but it’s not too bad. Two or three of the other teams, like the Renegades, have already had their plans scuppered by Australian selection.”
BRISBANE HEAT
Captain: Chris Lynn (new)
Coach: Daniel Vettori
Ground: Gabba, Metricon Stadium
BBL07: 7th (4-6)
Key ins: James Pattinson (Renegades), Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Key outs: Shadab Khan, Jason Floros.
World imports: Brendon McCullum (NZ), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afg).
Aussies: Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, James Pattinson, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson.
Availability: Six-machine Lynn will miss about four BBL games mid-tournament for ODI duty, but the Heat should otherwise be unaffected. Renshaw and Burns don’t appear in Test contention while Prestwidge (knee) and Doggett (quad) have recovered from injuries.
Crowd puller: The ‘Bash Brothers’ have beaten up bowlers for years and yet Brisbane hasn’t won a semi-final since BBL02. Enter speed machine Pattinson, who will help correct the long imbalance between bat and ball. In a batsman’s game, “Patto” stirs fear when he overheats the speed gun with 145km/h thunderbolts.
MICHAEL VAUGHAN SAYS: “I love the ‘Bash Brothers’ with Chris Lynn taking over as captain from ‘Baz’ McCullum. I like the signing of James Pattinson. He’s high class and as long as he stays fit he can have a major impact. Afghan teenager Mujeeb Ur Rahman and leggie Mitch Swepson add a bit of mystery, some clever bowlers. They rely a bit too much on the Bash Brothers, so if they don’t fire, they may struggle.”
HOBART HURRICANES
Captain: Matthew Wade (new)
Coach: Adam Griffith (new)
Ground: Blundstone Arena, Launceston
BBL07: Runner-up (6-6)
Key ins: Johan Botha (Sixers), James Faulkner (Stars).
Key outs: Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian (both Renegades).
World imports: Jofra Archer, Tymal Mills (both Eng).
Aussies: George Bailey, Johan Botha, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran, James Faulkner, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, David Moody, Tim Paine (wk), Tom Rogers, Clive Rose, D’Arcy Short, Aaron Summers, Matthew Wade (wk).
Availability: Australia’s selectors are unlikely to spend too much time picking at Hobart’s list. Short should only miss two BBL games — against the Stars and Scorchers — in mid-January, to play in Australia’s three-game ODI series. That’s a kind result. Faulkner, a 2015 World Cup winner, is no longer in the ODI frame while Test skipper Paine might sneak in a couple of BBL games when Short is wearing the green and gold. Wade is top of the Shield runs list with 571 … could he re-emerge?
Crowd puller: Last summer Short went gangbusters and the Hurricanes followed, storming into the BBL final. Short smashed 97 (off 63 balls), 96 (58), 122 not out (69) and 59 (49) to help bank four wins as he was billed as the next David Warner. How will he handle the expectation this summer?
MICHAEL VAUGHAN SAYS: “Solid squad. Very consistent team. Tim Paine will be missed but they have Matt Wade, D’Arcy Short has a point to prove and as long as Ben McDermott doesn’t get run out he’ll be fine. They’ll be pushing hard again to make the final. And Jofra Archer is in a different league to most. Plus he’s available for the whole tournament.”
PERTH SCORCHERS
Captain: Mitch Marsh (new)
Coach: Adam Voges (new)
Ground: Perth Stadium
BBL07: 3rd (8-3)
Key ins: Matthew Kelly, Usman Qadir.
Key outs: Mitchell Johnson, Adam Voges (both retired).
World imports: Usman Qadir (Pakistan), David Willey (Eng).
Aussies: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft (wk), Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kelly, Michael Klinger, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman (wk).
Availability: Bancroft’s ball-tampering suspension expires on December 29 and he will be rushed in for the Scorchers’ fourth game on December 30 against Hobart. Shaun Marsh will miss most of the summer due to Test and ODI commitments although younger brother Mitch Marsh will be available to lead Perth at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
Crowd puller: Where do you start? Perth’s collective seam attack is world-class. There’s T20 specialist AJ Tye — who has “15 or 16 different deliveries” — strike bowlers Behrendorff and Coulter-Nile, Shield star Jhye Richardson (27 wickets), the emerging Green plus fringe Aussie all-rounder Mitch Marsh. No wonder Scorchers bowlers secretly used to joke: “We could defend Syria.”
MICHAEL VAUGHAN SAYS: “Very consistent team, always there or thereabouts. The new venue is a query, just whether they can make it as formidable as the WACA Ground. They have loads of experience — Nathan Coulter-Nile, Hilton Cartwright, Michael Klinger, Jason Behrendorff, it will be exciting to see Cameron Bancroft back, plus AJ Tye, the guy with 55 different deliveries. I think they will miss Justin Langer. He’s just been the driver of the team.”
SYDNEY SIXERS
Captain: Moises Henriques
Coach: Greg Shipperd
Ground: SCG
BBL07: 5th (4-6)
Key ins: Josh Phillippe, Jack Edwards, Lloyd Pope.
Key outs: Sam Billings, Doug Bollinger (retired), Nic Maddinson (Stars).
World imports: Joe Denly, Tom Curran (both Eng).
Aussies: Sean Abbott, Justin Avendano, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Dan Fallins, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Peter Nevill (wk), Stephen O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, Henry Thornton, Greg West.
Availability: Spinner Lyon is in the Test team but everybody else is fit and healthy and not on Australia’s international radar. Lyon could play two or three BBL games between the India and Sri Lanka Test series depending on his workload. Recruit Hastings was forced to retire after coughing up blood while bowling.
Crowd puller: For a team low on game-changers, why not the kids? If Pope catches fire, look out. He is a 19-year-old leggie with flaming red hair who took 8-35 against England in the Under-19 World Cup. West Australian Philippe, 21, burnt the promise of a replacement player spot at the Scorchers to join the Sixers. Did the promising batsman’s move cost him selection in the last Shield round? And then there’s Avendano, 25, who clubbed six sixes in an over last month.
MICHAEL VAUGHAN SAYS: “You always look at strengths of each team. Sean Abbott is a key player, Daniel Hughes has been in good form for NSW, Steve O’Keefe bowls tidily. English pair Joe Denly and Tom Curran will help. But I don’t think the Sixers have enough mystery with the ball. Lloyd Pope is their wrist-spinner and he’s got a good googly, but to rely on a young kid is asking a lot. Their bowling does not look strong enough.”
SYDNEY THUNDER
Captain: Shane Watson
Coach: Shane Bond (new)
Ground: Spotless Stadium, Manuka Oval
BBL07: 6th (4-6)
Key ins: Daniel Sams (Sixers), Sam Rainbird (Hurricanes), Jason Sangha.
Key outs: Ben Rohrer, Aiden Blizzard, Clint McKay (all retired).
World imports: Joe Root, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Jordan (all Eng), Anton Devcich (NZ)
Aussies: Fawad Ahmed, Patrick Cummins, Callum Ferguson, Ryan Gibson, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Nathan McAndrew, Arjun Nair, Kurtis Patterson, Sam Rainbird, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Shane Watson.
Availability: Star bowler Cummins is unlikely to feature in the BBL given how critical he is to Australia’s attack. Khawaja should play a couple of BBL games between the Test series. Internationals Jordan and Devcich will replace Root and Buttler after seven games.
MICHAEL VAUGHAN SAYS: “A couple of Englishmen — Joe Root and Jos Buttler — will give them a lift. Buttler is the most exciting white-ball player in the world, the way he can read situations and adapt his game to suit. They’ve got to open with him and allow him to face as many balls as possible. Shane Watson is still going strong, the old fox. I don’t see runs being the problem. Similar to the Sixers, though, they don’t have enough mystery in their bowling.”
CRYSTAL BALL TIPS
MICHAEL VAUGHAN
1st: Strikers. Look very solid. They know how to win it and they have everything covered.
2nd: Hurricanes. Not too many international call-ups to disrupt their campaign.
3rd: Stars. They just can’t keep failing. Too much talent for that to happen again.
4th: Scorchers. Always there. Interesting to see how they perform at Perth Stadium.
SAM LANDSBERGER
1st: Scorchers. New coach Adam Voges is the BBL’s version of 2011 Chris Scott (Geelong). He’s taking over a star-studded team which knows how to win championships. Seven home games should be enough for the Scorchers’ attack to adapt to the Perth Stadium pitch.
2nd: Strikers. Explosive top-order — Ingram, Weatherald, Carey — plus the BBL’s No.1 matchwinner, Rashid Khan, will leave opponents feeling dizzy when they face Jason Gillespie’s men.
3rd: Heat. The Bash Brothers — Lynn and McCullum — have whacked 129 sixes from a combined 73 games. Lynn’s 103 maximums is 44 more than the BBL’s No.2 — Aaron Finch — but the arrival of pace machine Pattinson and mystery spinner Mujeeb will finally put some heat on rival batsmen.
4th: Hurricanes. Blessed with injury and Australian selection, a game-changer in D’Arcy Short and the spunk of searing pace ace Jofra Archer, the Hurricanes will leave Hobart humming. Same potent ingredients as last year.
TAB TITLE ODDS
$5.50 Perth Scorchers
$6 Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat
$7.50 Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars
$8 Melbourne Renegades,
$9 Sydney Sixers
$10 Sydney Thunder
MICHAEL VAUGHAN WILL BE PART OF FOX CRICKET’S BBL COMMENTARY TEAM THIS SUMMER ALONGSIDE ADAM GILCHRIST, SHANE WARNE, MARK WAUGH AND OTHERS
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