Updated! Predicted teams: Starting XIs for BBL13

The Big Bash season is drawing near.

As we tinker over our draft Supercoach squads for Round 1, it’s vital to know how each club is shaping up for the 13^th edition of the tournament.

We’ve had a crack below at picking the starting XI for each BBL club this season.

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Throughout the lead-in to the tournament there will be injuries, signings, international call-ups and more, as the news breaks we’ll do our best to continually update the below teams.

The movements of internationals will also be vital, so jump into our player availability article to understand when the stars will come and go from BBL13.

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ADELAIDE STRIKERS

Matt Short

D’Arcy Short

Chris Lynn

Adam Hose

Thomas Kelly

Jamie Overton

Ben Manenti

Harry Nielson

David Payne

Henry Thornton

Wes Agar

Unavailable/Reserves

James Bazley, Brendan Doggett, Henry Hunt, Cameron Boyce, Jake Weatherald, Alex Carey (Test Team), Travis Head (Test Team)

Changes from last year

The Strikers have a couple of new recruits in D’Arcy Short, Brendan Doggett, James Bazley and Englishman Jamie Overton who was picked up through the draft.

Short, Bazley and Overton are walk-up starts in the best XI when fit and available and are all relevant SuperCoach prospects given their ‘allrounder’ roles.

Having said that, Bazley is in doubt for round 1 after picking up a hamstring injury and the exact role of D’Arcy and Overton isn’t clear so I’d look at Round 1 lineups before investing too heavily.

Additionally, Ben Manenti has a chance for regular gametime this season after claiming the mantle of number 1 spinner in South Australian cricket.

While arguably they don’t have need for an offspinner given Matt Short’s credentials, he’s batted as high as 6 in One Day Cup indicating he’s viewed as an allround prospect. With Bazley in doubt, he’s a big chance to replace him at 7 until he’s fit.

Peter Siddle’s departure makes room for a new death bowler which is always relevant. If Agar is fit he will take one end but the other overs will fall between Overton, Bazley, Henry Thornton or Doggett if selected.

At the last second, the loss of Rashid Khan is a cruel blow – their best and most experienced T20 bowler.

His replacement English quick David Payne is a really intriguing signing that leave a tonne of question marks over their round 1 roster.

Rationale

It’s still a shock to see them not go after a wicketkeeper through the BBL draft or a spinning replacement for Rashid.

The top 4 of Short, Short, Chris Lynn and Englishman Adam Hose look set in stone. Thomas Kelly has had an extended run in the middle order for a couple of seasons but has been overlooked at List A and FC level so far this season.

If he misses selection, they could run allrounders in Overton, Bazley, Manenti from 5 to 7, with Nielsen all the way down at 9. And then there’s the Test stars. Will we see Alex Carey or Travis Head at all this year due to their Test commitments? There’s a chance they’d play in Game 1 but we don’t know for sure just yet.

The Payne signing to replace Rashid is a little perplexing and leaves a number of questions to their starting XI.

We don’t know who is going to be in the spinning role, do they play Manenti? Is Matt or D’Arcy short the primary spinner? Does Boyce come in?

It’s really thrown a spanner in the works at the Strikers. For now, we’ve taken out James Bazley who is dealing with a hamstring issue, but he could easily slot in for game one.

Overton becomes a permanent number six now, primarily as a bat.

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BRISBANE HEAT

Usman Khawaja

Colin Munro

Marnus Labuschagne

Sam Billings

Max Bryant

Paul Walter

Jack Wildermuth

Xavier Bartlett

Matt Kuhnemann

Mitchell Swepson

Spencer Johnson

Unavailable/Reserves

Michael Neser (injury, may be available for opener), Nathan McSweeney (PM’s XI) Jimmy Pierson (PM’s XI), Matt Renshaw (PM’s XI), Jack Wood, Will Prestwidge, Josh Brown, Jordan Buckingham, Charlie Wakeham, Lachlan Hearne

Changes from last year

As it stands the Heat look decimated by the PM’s XI team more than any other side, which is awful news given their relevance to Round 1.

With absence comes opportunity and the big winners will be Sam Billings, and Jack Wildermuth.

Billings will take the gloves while Pierson is away, while Wildermuth at $91k could hold the number 7 slot down until Neser is back.

Neser pulled out of the PM’s XI game with a minor injury niggle but may be available.

Nathan McSweeney was always a chance of being in the best XI but is unavailable now. We will also see Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja play in the first game before the Test tour – don’t get sucked in by the big name, they’re going to miss games 2 and 3. 

Englishman Paul Walter is a bits-and-pieces player who will smash it late in the innings and bowl a couple of overs when needed. It’s the Dan Christian role which we know is volatile, but at $105k he’s worth a look.

Mitch Swepson is a chance to fill a bowlers spot but has been relegated at state level to carrying the drinks behind first-choice spinner Matt Kuhnemann. The departure of Sam Heazlett to the Hurricanes gives Max Bryant a clear role and job security, albeit he’s not that reliable.

Rationale

There’s some continuity in the squad for the side which made it all the way to the Big Final last year.

Colin Munro and Billings are great overseas players but the bowling attack has a lot of question marks over it. Are Spencer Johnson and Xavier Bartlett going to be fit for Round 1? How many overs will Walter bowl? Who bowls death overs in this side?

The good news is that when they’re all available, McSweeney and Walter in the top 6 does provide them with a very balanced squad.

The only other point of contention will be if Jack Wood a cheapie dual position player whose been on fire in Grade Cricket competitions across the country will usurp Brown for an opener’s spot.

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HOBART HURRICANES

Caleb Jewell

Ben McDermott

Matt Wade

Sam Hain

Tim David

Corey Anderson

Chris Jordan

Nathan Ellis

Paddy Dooley

Peter Hatzoglou

Riley Meredith

Unavailable/Reserves

Mitch Owen, Mac Wright, Billy Stanlake, Iain Carlisle, Sam Heazlett, Liam Guthrie, Nikhil Chaudary

Changes from last year

Some new internationals will fill some needs for the ‘Canes from last year.

Corey Anderson will play the role of ‘finisher’ and could even bowl an over or two, while journeyman Chris Jordan joins his 5th BBL club and will help bowl death overs alongside new Club Captain, Nathan Ellis.

Jordan has had some good batting form in other tournaments this year and looks set to be named at 7 for the ‘Canes which is a juicy sounding role.

The departure of D’Arcy Short gives Caleb Jewell job security as an opener and makes Tim David the 6th bowler in this lineup.

Peter Hatzoglou has joined from the Scorchers and should fit straight into the XI.

Englishman Sam Hain is a shrewd signing and will bat 4. Billy Stanlake is fit and he and Liam Guthrie could be used as rotation players for Hatzoglou depending on conditions.

Rationale

Ricky Ponting was very forthcoming in his tactical conversations around the draft.

This means we know the role of Sam Hain will be at number four, and Chris Jordan is liked as the allrounder at number seven.

Hatzoglou is in, but may be used in rotation if they opt for another quick in Guthrie or Stanlake.

The side is fairly straight forward in how it will operate.

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MELBOURNE RENEGADES

Joe Clarke

Nic Maddinson

Jake Fraser-McGurk

Aaron Finch

Jono Wells

Mackenzie Harvey

Will Sutherland

Tom Rogers

Adam Zampa

Mujeeb ur Rahman

Kane Richardson

Unavailable/Reserves

Nathan Lyon (Test Team), Harry Dixon, Zak Evans, Peter Siddle, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Fergus O’Neill, Quinton de Kock, Shaun Marsh

Changes from last year

Three big name recruits completely change the face of this team.

Quinton de Kock is a world class ‘keeper batsman and immediately makes them a contender. Unfortunately for Supercoaches he won’t be available for the first two games due to T10 duties in Dubai.

Adam Zampa gives them a world class spinner to pair with world class spinner, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Joe Clarke is a consistent and potent opener who replaces the potent but inconsistent Sam Harper who is off to the Stars.

Jake Fraser-McGurk could find regular game time, and may bat at three with QDK out.

Returning from injury, Nic Maddinson is tipped to open the batting for the first two games with de Kock out.

JFM’s batting position will depend on Shaun Marsh’s fitness which we can’t gauge because he’s not playing any cricket right now.

The bowling and batting are seriously classy and we should see a lift in SuperCoach points across the board. This is all before we see 39 year old Peter Siddle has joined the side as well.

Young Harry Dixon is the token ‘player of promise’ signed and is down the depth chart.

Rationale

The ‘Gades are super relevant given their draw to start the year.

The top 4 of de Kock (once fit), Clarke, Aaron Finch and Marsh theoretically picks itself, albeit all but Finch will want to open the batting.

Maddinson, JFM and Jono Wells are the primary middle order candidates at full-strength and Will Sutherland should float depending on the match situation.

With a dearth or allrounders and no bowling options in the top 6, the Sutherland selection is compulsory but does impact how often we should expect to see Siddle named in the side.

If Sutherland bats 6 – which would probably be a stretch – we could see all of Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers and Siddle all named alongside Zampa and Mujeeb, but this might be unlikely unless Sutherland shows he’s more than just a slogger. If Marsh is unfit, JFM’s pending selection in the Top 3 would make him an intriguing cheapie prospect.

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MELBOURNE STARS

Tom Rogers

Sam Harper

Marcus Stoinis

Glenn Maxwell

Hilton Cartwright

Campbell Kellaway

Usama Mir

Liam Dawson

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Joel Paris

Haris Rauf

Unavailable/Reserves

Brody Couch, Beau Webster (PM’s XI), Nick Larkin, Joe Burns, Scott Boland (Test team), Corey Rocchiccioli, Jono Merlo

Changes from last year

There’s never a dull moment at the Stars.

Sam Harper returns via Trade to the club which gave him a debut – he’s an intriguing prospect who will take the gloves and could open the batting.

Englishman Liam Dawson was announced as the team’s third overseas player for the season, replacing number 1 draft pick Harry Brook who has pulled out of the tournament.

Dawson is a left-arm orthodox bowler and a capable lower order batter who gives the side something they’ve been sorely missing – some batting depth.

Dawson is available for the first three games, and will be replaced after Christmas by Imad Wasim from game four onwards.

Dawson will compliment Pakistani Usama Mir who came through the draft who, aside from his leg spin bowling, is another capable hitter. The two should float around the number 7 and 8 spot.

Haris Rauf is the other overseas player and will spearhead the attack alongside new recruit after being cleared to start the season by Pakistan.

Mark Steketee has been somewhat of a quiet achiever at the Heat since the start of the Big Bash, achieving plenty without the big name profile. He’s a good price but misses Round 1 with PM’s XI duties.

Joel Paris has also joined and, if fit, could be a handy money maker. Arguably there’s been no bigger inclusion this tournament than Glenn Maxwell, who missed all of last season with injury.

Rationale

In theory this is an exceptionally balanced side. In Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster and Hilton Cartwright, the side has 9 bowling options.

They could theoretically play an extra batter but probably don’t have the squad depth. The bowling depth does make it hard to know who will get overs and Maxwell is famous for underbowling himself in the tournament.

Stoinis is likely due a sidestrain after some consistent bowling for Australia during the on-going T20I series in India.

While he could open the batting, Stoinis probably bats in the middle order inline with his role at national level.

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PERTH SCORCHERS

Stephen Eskinazi

Sam Whiteman

Aaron Hardie

Josh Inglis

Ashton Turner

Laurie Evans

Cooper Connolly

Andrew Tye

Jhye Richardson

Matt Kelly

Jason Behrendorff

Unavailable/reserves

Mitch Marsh (Test team), Lance Morris (Test team), Hamish McKenzie, Nick Hobson, Zak Crawley (England ODI Team), Ashton Agar, Liam Haskett

Changes from last year

The Scorchers are once again a strong outfit, but aren’t without pre-season interuptions.

Opener Stephen Eskinazi has has been added as the final international and is expected to be available for the entire tournament.

The opening bat honours this season to start are likely to fall to Eskinazi and Sam Whiteman who returns from the Thunder.

Ashton Agar is under an injury cloud and may miss the opening couple of games, which would see youngster Cooper Connolly, the hero from last year’s Big Final, bat at seven and bowl.

While he could easily slot in at 6 for the side, Connolly recently opened the batting for WA during the One Day Cup which could hint at the role they see for him – he bowled 10 overs too.

Zak Crawley will open for the side once he’s available and is a great get. Fellow Englishman Laurie Evans returns and will likely slot back into the number 6 role which he played to perfection in their BBL11 title season.

Hamish McKenzie, a left-arm wrist spinner, is a $42k bowling rookie who could get a game if Ashton Agar is unfit.

With Lance Morris in the Test squad, Matt Kelly will come into the bowling attack if he’s cleared of a calf injury.

Rationale

The bowling attack is well balanced but will be rotated.

Between Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris and Matt Kelly you’d think one will get a rest every other game.

Connolly or Nick Hobson are the first batter to be left out once Crawley is available and could float between opener and number 6. We’ll know more about the makeup of the side once the final International is named.

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SYDNEY SIXERS

Josh Philippe

James Vince

Steve Smith

Moises Henriques

Jordan Silk

Jack Edwards

Tom Curran

Sean Abbott

Ben Dwarshuis

Joel Davies

Jackson Bird

Unavailable/Reserves

Kurtis Patterson, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Mitch Perry, Steve O’Keefe, Izharulhaq Naveed

Changes from last year

Coach Greg Shipperd has been clear in declaring James Vince will open the batting alongside Josh Philippe.

This means the gap in the team is at number 3 to go alongside the vacant number 6 spot created by the retirement of Dan Christian.

Steve Smith will be available for Game 1 and 9, but aside from him the usual suspects are the candidates in Kurtis Patterson, Dan Hughes and Jack Edwards.

Edwards was enjoying a breakout start to the domestic season before being sidelined by a heel injury and was expected to nail down the 6 spot.

The other option is Tom Curran who can easily bat as high as 6 to go alongside his death overs bowling.

Rehan Ahmed has withdrawn from the tournament, with Afghani spinner Izharulhaq Naveed joining the squad for another campaign.

Hayden Kerr is expected to miss at least the first game due to injury, while Sean Abbott is in some doubt.

Naveed is unavailable for game one, while Steve O’Keefe is expected to miss out due to injury, opening up a spot for Joel Davies.

Rationale

Large parts of this squad pick themselves. The squeeze is likely to come from spots 6 – 11.

Between Curran, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis and Hayden Kerr there’s a lot of mouths to feed once all are available.

There’s also Stephen O’Keefe and Todd Murphy to factor in since Ahmed’s withdrawal. Kerr could be the one squeezed when fit given his skillset is so similar to Curran’s.

If Curran bats 6 they could all fit, and Edwards could be elevated to fill the number 3 role.

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SYDNEY THUNDER

Matt Gilkes

Alex Hales

Cameron Bancroft

Ollie Davies

Jason Sangha

Alex Ross

Daniel Sams

Nathan McAndrew

Chris Green

Tanveer Sangha

Zaman Khan

Unavailable/Reserves

Liam Hatcher, Blake Nikitaras, David Warner (Test Team), Gurinder Sandhu

Changes from last year

Cameron Bancroft joins and has quietly put together a good T20 resume over the last two seasons.

Having missed Test selection he should slot in at number three.

Legspinner Tanveer Sangha is back after stress fractures ruined his summer and will be a popular cheapie.

Pakistani quick Zaman Khan has the ‘unknown’ factor and will bowl death. Liam Hatcher returns to the team he was previously signed to but never played for and could be used in rotation alongside Gurinder Sandhu and Nathan McAndrew.

David Warner will is available to play the last 3-4 games for the Thunder. Reserves Ben Cutting and Baxter Holt haven’t been retained.

Rationale

Quite a settled lineup with a batting order which largely picks itself.

Jason Sangha has been in poor form and has lost the captaincy to Chris Green. Dan Sams continues to be a stud on the International T20 circuit and McAndrew and Ollie Davies are both having breakout summers to-date.

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