Big Bash predicted teams: Supercoach BBL16 squads

The Big Bash pre-season is underway as we edge towards the tournament opener in Chennai, India on December 12.

Below are the predicted starting XIs for every club and some key pointers on the players to watch. 

Now there are many factors which will become clearer as we get closer to the first game – injuries, availability, form and most likely new signings and replacement players. 

But as it stands, these are the sides we expect to see roll out in Round 1.

Adelaide Strikers

1	Matt Short
2	Ben Stokes
3	Harjas Singh
4	Mark Chapman
5	Liam Scott
6	Jason Sangha
7	Mackenzie Harvey
8	Jerrssis Wadia
9	Henry Thornton
10	Haris Rauf
11	Lloyd Pope

12	Alex Carey
13	Thomas Kelly
14	Travis Head
15	Lachie Bangs
16	Nathan McAndrew
17	Tom Straker
18	Mitch Perry

Players of note:

• Haris Rauf will come in at a premium price and if bowling second could grab junk time wickets defending big totals at Adelaide Oval
• Ben Stokes’ ability to bowl could make him a premium as well, especially if he can support Rauf with death over bowling which could be on the cards in this lineup
• No Chris Lynn means there’s a vacancy at the top of the order. Given the Strikers decent batting depth, rookie Harjas Singh could be trialled in the role and be a potential cash cow
• With Stokes, Matt Short and Kiwi Mark Chapman in the lineup, Rauf might be the only frontline bowler guaranteed his four overs.
• Liam Scott’s bowling overs might be capped given the presence of three other allrounders in the side. Keep a watch on the big allrounder though because any hint of death bowling could make him a premium allrounder to target on single game weeks.

Embed from Getty Images

Brisbane Heat

1	Usman Khawaja
2	Tim Robinson
3	Nathan McSweeney
4	Bevan Jacobs/Marnus Labuschagne
5	Max Bryant
6	Jimmy Pierson
7	Michael Neser
8	Jack Wildermuth
9	Xavier Bartlett
10	Matthew Kuhnemann
11	Spencer Johnson
12	Callum Vidler
13	Oli Patterson
14	Hugh Weigben
15	Lachlan Hearne
16	Tom Curran
17	Bevan Jacobs/Marnus Labuschagne
18

Players of note:

• Tom Curran misses the opening matches of the tournament but then becomes a solid option whilst weakening Neser’s role with the bat
• Should Marnus miss Test selection, he will almost have to slot in somewhere which could mean INTL signing Bevan Jacobs misses out
• Xavier Bartlett is in career best form and will form one of the best fast bowling partnerships in the comp with Spencer Johnson
• Jack Wildermuth isn’t locked into this side despite his Supercoach heroics from last season

Become a member of the SC Playbook community by subscribing for less than $2 per week! Gain access to additional premium articles on site every week, our Discord community, prize money and plenty more. Check it out here.

Hobart Hurricanes

1	Mitch Owen
2	Shai Hope
3	Ben McDermott
4	Tim David
5	Beau Webster
6	Nikhil Chaudhary
7	Nick Hobson
8	Nathan Ellis
9	Rishad Hossein
10	Adam Zampa
11	Riley Meredith
12	Will Prestwidge
13	Iain Carlisle
14	Billy Stanlake
15	Tim Ward
16
17
18

Players of note:

• Beau Webster’s availability could help make this hands down the best side on paper. He would bat in the Top 5 (likely number 4) and chip in overs of his seam bowling – not to mention he’s brilliant in the field. If he’s not available, it could mean big things for the bowling overs of Nikhil Chaudhary.
• Adam Zampa has joined the side which might mean there’s more overs of spin and only eight overs plus Beau of seam. This could make Mitch Owen’s bowling load come on should conditions suit, but don’t expect reliable overs from him.
• Nick Hobson is the perfect signing for this side to replace the kind of late over runs Matt Wade used to provide.
• Will Prestwidge isn’t in their best XI but was used in the One Day cup as an opener recently. He is a clean striker of the ball and might be the next bat in should a role become available.

Embed from Getty Images

Melbourne Renegades

1	Josh Brown
2	Johnny Bairstow
3	Jake Fraser-McGurk
4	Chris Lynn
5	Ollie Peake
6	Michael Bracewell
7	Will Sutherland
8	Tom Rogers
9	Sam Elliott
10	Mustafizur Rahmen
11	Brendan Doggett
12	Caleb Jewell
13	Ben Manenti
14	Callum Stow
15	Harry Dixon
16	Michael Archer
17
18

Players of note:

• Chris Lynn has played his career on two of the best batting surfaces at the country and now has arrived at Marvel Stadium. The poor guy
• Jason Behrendorff is out for the season
• Mustafizur Rahmen is an incredible death bowler. Keep an eye on his starting price as he’s super skillful
• Jake Fraser-McGurk has been in good form this summer so far. Last time he started the year like this his form kicked on in the BBL
• Michael Bracewell will play the allrounder role nicely with some overs of spin and solid hitting from number 6. Huge watch on him given good form too against India

Embed from Getty Images

Melbourne Stars

1	Finn Allen
2	Sam Harper
3	Tom Rogers
4	Marcus Stoinis
5	Glenn Maxwell
6	Hilton Cartwright
7	Campbell Kelleway
8	Craig Overton
9	Mitch Swepson
10	Liam Hatcher
11	Peter Siddle
12	Jamie Overton
13	Austin Anzerlak
14	Todd Murphy
15
16
17
18

Players of note:

• Craig Overton is not Jamie Overton, don’t pick the wrong one guys and girls
• Finn Allen is a fun pickup and should be good to watch alongside Sam Harper
• The balance of the batting order remains a mystery and the role of Stoinis is going to be one to watch given he’s top dollar
• Glenn Maxwell had a poor season last year and no longer plays much cricket. Can we expect overs out of him this year? Probably. But Father Time may have caught up and made him mortal once and for all

Embed from Getty Images

Perth Scorchers

1	Zak Crawley
2	Mitch Marsh
3	Aneurin Donald
4	Aaron Hardie
5	Ashton Turner
6	Will Malajczuk
7	Ashton Agar
8	Jhye Richardson
9	Calvin Harris
10	Mahli Beardman
11	Lance Morris
12	Josh Inglis
13	Sam Fanning
14	Liam Haskett
15	Brody Couch
16	Joel Paris
17
18

Players of note:

• I’d expect Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis to be unavailable whilst with the Australian Test side. This will increase the opportunities for Aaron Hardie, import Aneurin Donald (WK) and young Will Malajczuk
• Donald will take the gloves and likely bat Top 4. That’s a decent role, but we know some imports can take a bit to figure out Perth
• Calvin Harris is a spin bowler who should play the opening game in India but might not consistently challenge for a spot in the lineup
• As always there’ll be a watch on the fitness of their bowlers. Joel Paris is already hurt and Lance Morris missed all of last season
• Will Malajczuk is a super bright talent on the scene whose already well regarded for his ability to score runs quickly. With no Connolly and Nick Hobson off to Hobart, he could slot into the middle to lower order all year, and he bowls some spin too

Embed from Getty Images

Sydney Sixers

1	Josh Philippe (wk)
2	Tim Seifert
3	Ollie Davies
4	Lachie Shaw
5	Jordan Silk
6	Jack Edwards
7	Ben Dwarshuis
8	Joel Davies
9	Sean Abbott
10	Chris Jordan
11	Jofer Chohan
12	Jake Scott
13	Steve Smith
14	Hayden Kerr
15	Fergus O’Neill
16	Riley Kingsell
17
18

Players of note:

• Super weird offseason for the Sixers who sacked their head coach after making the Grand Final, and then asked their skipper to retire when he wanted a final year. But I guess that happens sometimes. Their new Head Coach also left after a month for a different job
• There’s roles at the top of the order with no Moises Henriques or Daniel Hughes
• Tim Seifert will bring some Power Play runs to the table which is exciting after the failed Babar Azam experiment last year
• Ollie Davies and Lachie Shaw are likely the new number 3 and 4 and could be for a decade. Both two good players of spin
• Joel Davies was a breakout star last season and parlayed that into an Aussie call up where he didn’t miss a beat. Sadly in this side however he could bat as low as number 8. He will bowl his four overs though as the definite number 1 spin option
• Jofer Chohan will battle for the last spot in the lineup, but there’s competition for overs given the amount of allrounders in the side
• Chris Jordan will bowl death overs in this side with Jack Edwards which is really exciting. Could be an underrated option once again, albeit he won’t bat 7 like he did at the Canes

Embed from Getty Images

Sydney Thunder

1	Sam Konstas
2	David Warner
3	Cameron Bancroft
4	Sam Billings (WK)
5	Nic Maddinson
6	Will Salzmann
7	Dan Sams
8	Chris Green
9	Tanveer Sangha
10	Lockie Ferguson
11	Trent Boult
12	Harry Hoekstra
13	Matt Gilkes
14	Ryan Hadley
15	Aidan O’Connor
16
17
18

Players of note:

• New recruit Harry Hoekstra is a star in the making. Should he get a game he’s the rookie of the year
• Will Salzmann is a super interesting one to watch. He’s yet to play BBL but has the role and game to be successful. There’s a spot for him in the middle overs and chipping in occasional overs. Started life as an opening bowler but has since worked hard on his batting
• Sam Konstas is in fine form and could be a good own if not with the Test side
• Having Ferguson and Boult in this lineup will ease the pressure on Sams. This could see his wicket tally grow a lot.