Sport
KFC Big Bash League: Season Preview
With exciting new entertainment experiences and some of the world’s best players set to go head-to-head, the competition is heating up. Following the September draft, squads are shaping up, and we’re getting a clearer picture of which teams will be the ones to beat. With the Brisbane Heat going all the way in BBL|13, the question is, can they go back-to-back? Or is it someone else’s turn to reign supreme?
Get ready for the excitement of the upcoming BBL season by diving into our detailed team-by-team preview.
Adelaide Strikers
It’s a season of transition for the Strikers, with former Test captain Tim Paine stepping in as head coach, replacing Jason Gillespie. After a tough loss in the Challenger to eventual champions, the Heat, the Strikers are aiming for a stronger showing this season. Matt Short continues as captain while, South Australian stalwarts Alex Carey and Travis Head return, alongside T20 star Chris Lynn, who has committed to the entire season. The Strikers also strengthened their squad by drafting England Vice Captain Ollie Pope, Jamie Overton, and West Indian all-rounder Fabian Allen, hoping these additions will give them the edge they need.
Brisbane Heat
After taking it out in BBL|13, the Heat are ready to go again. Led by coach Johan Botha, the Heat have held on to the bulk of its championship-winning squad. With arguably the deepest squad in the competition, they will look to stars Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson and Jimmy Pierson to lead in the absence of Test stars Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja. They’ll be bolstered by new additions, including New Zealand batsman Colin Munro, Tom Alsop and Paul Walter. Early indications suggest the Heat will once again be the team to beat.
Hobart Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2023/24 season that saw them miss the finals. They have looked to the draft to reinvigorate their squad in the hope they can once again find themselves in the later stages of the competition. They secured the return of star English allrounder Chris Jordan on a two-year deal, while snapping up West Indian wicketkeeper Shai Hope with their first draft pick. With these new additions, the Hurricanes hope to strengthen their batting lineup alongside key players like Tim David, Ben McDermott, and Matthew Wade. With this bolstered squad, they could be a serious contender this season.
Melbourne Renegades
After another season that saw the Renegades finish near the bottom of the standings, significant changes are underway at Marvel Stadium. Australian legends Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch have both retired, and former champion Cameron White has stepped in as the new head coach. White has quickly got to work, filling the gaps left by their departures with signings Josh Brown, Gurinder Sandhu, Laurie Evans, and Jacob Bethell. These additions bring much-needed depth to a squad that already includes key players such as captain Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa, Fergus O’Neill, and rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk. After facing tough times, there is plenty of reason for optimism for the Renegades this season.
Melbourne Stars
Still in pursuit of their first championship despite regularly being near the top, the Stars are hoping this will be the year they finally go all the way. Their lineup remains impressive, featuring stars like Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, and Beau Webster. The addition of Tom Curran, who joins from the Sixers as the international player with the third-most wickets in BBL history, further strengthens their roster. With a team capable of rivaling any international side, expect the Stars to return to form this season.
Perth Scorchers
Much like the Stars, the Scorchers are always expected to be at the pointy end of the BBL come finals time. Having won it a record five times, the Scorchers were left disappointed by their elimination in the knockout last season. Typically, the Scorchers have relied on their core group—featuring Mitch Marsh, Jhye Richardson, AJ Tye, Ashton Turner, and Ashton Agar—so there’s rarely been a need for recruits. However, after last season, they’ve made a big play by adding New Zealand big-hitter Finn Allen to their batting lineup. With Allen, alongside new additions Matthew Hurst and Keaton Jennings, and the return of Turner from injury, the Scorchers are in a strong position to chase a sixth BBL title this January.
Sydney Sixers
The Sixers were left devastated after a heartbreaking loss in last season’s final. Having reached four of the last five BBL finals, they stand alongside the Scorchers as one of the league’s most successful teams. However, after losing their last two finals, they’ll be eager to go one step further this time. Ben Manenti has been brought in to fill the gap left by the retiring Stephen O’Keefe, while Dan Hughes has recommitted to the squad, staying part of the core group with Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, and Sean Abbott. Their run home will be boosted by the return of Steve Smith from Test duties, adding firepower for a strong championship push.
Sydney Thunder
The Thunder enter BBL|14 as dark horses to go all the way this season. After a disappointing last-place finish in the previous campaign, they’ve made significant off-season moves. David Warner joins for his first full season following his international retirement, while Wes Agar, Sam Billings, and Nic Maddinson have been recruited from other clubs. The Thunder also capitalised on the draft by bringing in New Zealand paceman Lockie Ferguson to take the new ball with Agar. If these new recruits can fire alongside key players like Cameron Bancroft, Chris Green, and the Sangha brothers, the Thunder will pose a serious threat to the competition.
Tickets for BBL|14 are on sale! Secure your seat today.
