Updated predicted teams: Every starting XI for BBLI11

• FIXTURE PLANNER: Byes/doubles, early season analysis
• INTERNATIONAL AVAILABILITY: Impact on imports, Aussie stars

This guide aims to show you how your club might line-up for the first round of matches in BBL|11.

While we started out without a huge amount of context, the announcement of the Aussie Test Squad and Aussie A side have made the picture clearer for a few players heading in to start the season.

The Australia and Australia 'A' squads have dropped.

Fair to say there's going to be some tearing apart of Round 1 SuperCoach Big Bash sides as a result! pic.twitter.com/yPpyHGnjlb

— SC Playbook (@scplaybook1) November 17, 2021

Adding in the England Lions players, it’s practically carnage at some clubs * cough cough Brisbane Heat * before a ball has even been bowled! So let’s take a look.

We’ll constantly update this throughout the pre-season as new information drops. Each XI is named in likely batting order.

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Adelaide Strikers

Strikers

Weatherald

Nielsen

M. Short

Wells

Gibson

L. Scott

Khan

Garton

Siddle

W. Agar

Conway

12th – Ahmed

Other – Worrall

Australian/England squad members impacted:

Travis Head, Alex Carey (Aus A), Matt Renshaw (Aus A).

Who misses out:

Big names Head (Test squad) and Carey (Aus A) will now miss the majority if not the entire tournament, with cheapie Renshaw (Aus A), also now unlikely to be available for the DGW in Round 2.

This hurts the squad who already deeply lacked batting depth. Fitting all their bowling options into the side will prove difficult, with Ahmed, Worrall and Conway all vying for the 5th bowling spot.

What’s changed:

Two big changes to-date and they’re both players who’ve left.

Phil Salt has opened the batting for the last two seasons but may not be returning, Nielsen to likely take the mantle with Weatherald.

There’s only two internationals signed, and the full squad now announced, so unless there’s some late funny businesses Khan and Garton are the only Strikers.

No Michael Neser as well could see Rashid bat one spot higher at 7 which would further solidify him as a captaincy lock.

Fawad Ahmed is as good a signing that you could’ve hoped for at this time of year – he could play a lot.

Cheapies Liam Scott and Matt Short (both $62.5k) should line up in the first three rounds pending fitness.

Watch out for:

Nielsen or whoever is opening and Rashid as above, and George Garton. The left-armer has big wraps and will bowl his four overs. Starts at a decent price ($125k).

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Brisbane Heat

Heat

Bryant

Duckett

Lynn

Cooper

Heazlett

Pierson

Wildermuth

Bazely

Kuhnemann

Bartlett

Mujeeb

12th – Sully

Australian/England squad members impacted

Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mark Steketee (Aus A), Tom Abell (Eng Lions).

Who misses out:

All of their best players – barring Chris Lynn – are unavailable for their round 1 DGW. Neser, Steketee, Swepson alongside INTL Abel won’t play, which is just cruel! They’re super thin on the ground, with only Kuhnemann, Willans and Sully battling out for the final spot in the XI.

What’s changed:

Two new internationals who could play attractive roles and are a watch. Ben Duckett will bat in the top three and would be a POD selection.

Tom Abell is in the same boat. He’s a crafty player who is being labelled an allrounder but don’t be fooled – he’s only bowled in eight T20 games in his career. Michael Neser on the Gabba could be something special when available.

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Watch out for:

Mujeeb finally combined an impressive strike-rate with his normally elite economy-rate last year. He’s a stud and should be strongly considered for the Round 1 double, albeit at a high price.

Jimmy Pierson overachieved batting at six last season. Even at $90k, I don’t think he’s a smart pick.

Xavier Bartlett ($97k) and Max Bryant ($118k) could be good options for Round 1 to score points and make cash.

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Hobart Hurricanes

Hurricanes

Wade

Short

McDermott

Jewell

Handscomb

David

Thompson

Paris

Sandeep

Meredith

Ellis

12th – Wright

Australian/England squad members impacted:

Scott Boland (Aus A), Harry Brook (Eng Lions)

Who misses out:

Scott Boland has earned an Aus A call-up, ruling him out for potentially three rounds. Harry Brook is in the same boat.

Pending team balance, the ‘Canes might opt to field Mitch Owen at seven at the expense of either Paris or Boland. However, the Canes’ have opted for a bowling allrounder in Englishman Jordan Thompson for their final INTL signing which will likely see him out of the XI.

Paris is also under an injury cloud that has him in doubt for the opening rounds.

What’s changed:

A full season of Matt Wade? Yes please. He’ll form one part of the scariest opening partnership in the league. Paris could also be a huge coup after crossing from Perth.

Tim David, after a breakout BBL10, has also now played in every major T20 comp around the globe and could float up the order to be a finisher.

Mitch Owen, bottom dollar rookie from last season, could come into selection contention with the omission of Boland from the early rounds, but as mentioned Thompson will likely thwart that.

Watch out for:

Harry Brook; don’t get sucked in. Young English bats have always struggled to get used to conditions Down Under.

Sandeep ($103k) is a great price for a frontline spinner. Josh Kann, a bottom-dollar rookie allrounder will be a popular selection. Joel Paris, if fit, could be a great cheapie.

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Melbourne Renegades

Renegades

Chand

Harvey

Harper

Fraser-McGurk

Merlo

Nabi

Sutherland

Pattinson

Richardson

Boyce

Topley

12th – Evans

Australian/England squad members impacted:

Nic Maddinson (Aus A).

Who misses out:

The ‘Gades have now announced all internationals with the return of Nabi joined by quick Reece Topley (England) and batter Unmukt Chand (India).

Given his likelihood to feature in any Australia A stuff, Nic Maddinson is unlikely to start the season for his new club, but was named skipper meaning he’s likely to slot straight back in once available.

The inside word is that Mack Harvey is just in front of Jake Fraser-McGurk in the pecking order, however the injury to Shaun Marsh that’s expected to keep him out till the New Year should allow both to play prominent roles.

With Aaron Finch expected to miss the first 3/4 rounds with injury, Harvey will likely open alongside Chand, with Harper at three and Fraser-McGurk at four.

Sutherland should edge out competition from Jack Prestwidge and Zak Evans as the 5th bowler.

What’s changed:

Out goes Beau Webster (Stars), in comes Nic Maddinson.

Topley is a watch given his role will likely include death bowling. James Pattinson for a full season could be huge but Topley and Richardson will likely bowl death.

Watch out for:

$62k for Aaron Finch is hard to ignore once he returns from injury. James Pattinson is a big watch having retired from Test cricket. He averaged 63 in his last full-season.

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Melbourne Stars

Stars

Stoinis

Clarke

Larkin

Maxwell

Burns

Cartwright

Hinchcliffe

Coulter-Nile

Rainbird

Faridoun

Zampa

12th – Webster

Australian/England squad members impacted:

Nil

Who misses out:

Gotch appears to have a serious injury and has been replaced in the squad by Peter Nevill. Tom O’Connell and Beau Webster will likely miss out.

UPDATE: Nathan Coulter-Nile and Joe Burns won’t be available for the first game due to injury.

What’s changed:

Joe Clarke will take the gloves for the Melbourne Stars and will most likely also be the new foil at the top of the order for the Stars.

There’s no Ben Dunk, and Beau Webster is now a genuine allrounder (albeit only listed as a BAT) and could be a watch if he gets a start for the double game week. Joe Burns has also crossed over but his position in the side isn’t strong.

Qais Ahmad will play a role at some stage for his new club.

Watch out for:

Fortune favours the brave – Stars have the DGW in Round 3 so do you start with Stoinis and Maxwell? It could be the quite the anti-POD to wait until then to get them.

Beau Webster at $100k is intriguing if he gets a start and bowls his overs, however we’ve got him marginally out of the side for the moment. He’s likely to be the 6th bowling option at best, but if he bats at four and has the chance to jag a pole, he could be a POD. I’m hoping this is the year Maxwell returns to number 3 after making 4 his home, we’ll have to wait and see.

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Perth Scorchers

Scorchers

Hobson

Bancroft

Munro

L.Evans

Turner

Hardie

Tye

Hatzoglou

Behrendorff

Kelly

Moody

12th – Patterson

Australian/England squad members impacted:

Jhye Richardson, Cameron Green, Mitch Marsh (Aus A), Ashton Agar (Aus A), Josh Inglis (Aus A).

Who misses out:

The Scorchers have been hit hard by international selections to begin the tournament.

Inglis, Marsh and Agar all will miss the first few rounds and Aaron Hardie may crack the 11 as a batter only, similar to how Cameron Green played two years ago.

Kurtis Patterson is likely the man to miss out in the batting order.

What’s changed:

Josh Inglis had a fantastic winter in England and should open – even without the double until Round 4, at $133k he is tempting. Beware however as his Australia A call up means he will miss the first three rounds.

Peter Hatzoglou has moved from the Renegades and should start as the first choice spinner with Agar unavailable.

International import Brydon Carse suffered a recent injury and will miss the tournament. He’ll be replaced by another English quick in Tymal Mills who has to quarantine on entry into the country and will likely miss the first two or three rounds.

Watch out for:

Mitch Marsh proved against the West Indies he’s a match-winner and at $132k will be in most people’s sides when available after Australian duties. He’s almost a ‘must-have’ should he secure the number three spot.

Ashton Agar is also incredible value at $90k but hasn’t previously replicated his Aussie form for Perth, again a watch on return. Turner, a fine player but never largely SC relevant, could be one to watch should he bat high to start the year – it’s a big ‘if’ though given his prowess in the middle order. The coach will likely be reluctant to change what’s worked for them.

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Sydney Thunder

Thunder

Hales

Whiteman

Gilkes

Billings

Ross

Sams

Cutting

Green

McAndrew

Sandhu

T. Sangha

12th – Tremain

Australian/England squad members impacted:

Usman Khawaja, Sajid Mahmood (Eng Lions).

Who misses out: Kerr, Pope, Brathwaite, Bird

No real surprises but Mahmood from England being in the Lions squad should see him missing the opening rounds.

Youngster Baxter Holt could come into selection contention but will likely start outside the best XI. Tremain is not in their best XI but could come in should Doggett not be fit for Round 1.

Unfortunately cheapie and boom rookie Ollie Davies suffered an injury playing Sydney Grade Cricket and will miss at least the opening rounds of the tournament.

This should see Jason Sangha come into the Round 1 line-up. Sandhu will likely edge out Doggett.

What’s changed:

No captain Callum Ferguson paves the way for Ollie Davies (on return from injury) to bat in the top three for the Thunder. At $74k he’s a genuine cash cow and could be a great bench-loop option when the time is right.

Dan Sams keeps getting better and it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ you have him in your team. Matt Gilkes is a big winner from the Test recall for Khawaja and has an attractive role potentially on offer as an opener.

Watch out for:

Hales has gone on hot streaks the last two seasons. When in form, he’s worth the risk in the your team and can consistently pass 20 – you get the feeling however with Trevor Bayliss at the helm he could go even better.

Davies and Mahmood will be popular, and if Tanveer Sangha improves anymore he will be popular again. Doggett bowled death last season which is great for point scoring, but he can be inconsistent.

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Sydney Sixers

Sixers

Philippe

Vince

Hughes

Henriques

Silk

Christian

Curran

Jordan

Manenti

O’Keefe

Pope

12th – J.Edwards

Australian/England squad members impacted:

Sean Abbott (Aus A).

Who misses out:

The return of Tom Curran is huge. Lloyd Pope and Ben Manenti may rotate with Bird pending conditions if the team want a second spinner – there’s rumours swirling of Bird’s injury potentially limiting his appearances for most of the season though.

What’s changed:

Not a lot. Curran is the only new player in the XI. Unfortunately his previous batting prowess will be blunted now he’s behind Christian – he won’t bat above seven.

Similarly, Curran will take back the bulk of the death bowling overs from Christian meaning the two do hinder each other’s SuperCoach scoring potential, all the while making the Sixers a scarier prospect on the field.

Carlos Brathwaite has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury, Englishman Chris Jordan will take his spot, but only for the first five games of the tournament.

Watch out for:

Philippe will (rightly so) be popular, but with Inglis and Wade there’s now genuine ‘keeper alternatives. After the Round 1 DGW, picking the right time to trade him out will be crucial. A settled squad should be popular again given they’ve no bye.