ADELAIDE STRIKERS

• * Wes Agar
• * Alex Carey
• * Michael Cormack
• * David Grant
• * Travis Head
• * Colin Ingram (OS)
• * Rashid Khan (OS)
• * Ben Laughlin
• * Jake Lehmann
• * Michael Neser
• * Liam O’Connor
• * Matthew Short
• * Peter Siddle
• * Billy Stanlake
• * Cameron Valente
• * Jake Weatherald
• * Jon Wells
• * Nick Winter

Summary: The reigning champions trot out a similar squad to last season, but could become victims of their own success. Travis Head, Alex Carey, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Lehmann and Jake Weatherald may come into contention for higher honours, which could limit their Big Bash availability and test the Strikers’ depth.

Batting: Carey scored the second most runs of any player last season (443) behind only man-of-the-tournament D’Arcy Short. Carey’s haul included one ton and two half tons at an average of 49.22. Notable mentions to Weatherald (third most runs in comp at 31.91) and Head (fourth most runs at 53.42).

Bowling: Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan was the standout bowler of last season, topping the competition for wickets (equal with Dwayne Bravo on 18) and economy rate (5.65). The leggy had plenty of support in the pace department with the following four players also finishing high on the wickets list — Ben Laughlin (fourth), Michael Neser (seventh), Siddle (10th) and Stanlake (11th).

Overseas player(s): Gun leggy Khan is again joined by big-hitting South African Colin Ingram. The bruising left-hander scored the 12th most runs in BBL07 with 277 at 30.77. He is a noted Twenty20 gun-for-hire, having plied his trade for Delhi Daredevils, Eastern Province, Free State, Karachi Kings and Trinbago Knight Riders.

Young gun: Promising batsman Matt Short scored 62 from 48 balls as an opener in his last Big Bash match, but was squeezed out for the finals. With Carey, Head and Weatherald in contention for national duties, the 22-year-old may be called on to play a lot more than his three matches from last year, where he produced a handy average of 35.33.

BRISBANE HEAT

• * Max Bryant
• * Joe Burns
• * Ben Cutting
• * Brendan Doggett
• * Sam Heazlett
• * Matt Kuhnemann
• * Marnus Labuschagne
• * Josh Lalor
• * Chris Lynn
• * Brendon McCullum (OS)
• * James Pattinson
• * James Peirson
• * Jack Prestwidge
• * Mujeeb Ur Rahman (OS)
• * Matthew Renshaw
• * Alex Ross
• * Mark Steketee
• * Mitchell Swepson

Summary: Taking out the competition in 2012/13, Brisbane Heat is one of only four teams to have won a BBL final. With the return of Australian Test player Matthew Renshaw after a summer off BBL, they aim to claim the title again this season.

Batting: Brisbane Heat had a strike rate of 128.3, the third highest of the 2017/18 season. With an average of 40.20, Joe Burns ranked 17th in the batting averages for last season. Captain Brendon McCullum also strongly contributed with his batting, scoring a total of 248 runs for the year.

Bowling: Pace bowler Brendan Doggett showed last year how good he is, with one of the best bowling figures for the year. He took 5/35 against the Perth Scorchers, ranking third in the season. Fellow pacemen Mark Steketee and Josh Lalor helped with the wicket-taking as well, taking a combined 17 wickets.

Overseas player(s): Former New Zealand captain McCullum is back for BBL08 to lead the side and showcase his batting abilities. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan) is the youngest player to sign a BBL contract at the age of 17. And this isn’t the only record he is breaking, being the only male player born in the 21st century to play international cricket. He is a skilled off-spin bowler, showing his abilities during the IPL tournament taking a total of 14 wickets. Heat’s second international signing is ready and available for a full season of BBL08.

Young gun: Max Bryant, 19, has only played one match for the Brisbane Heat after winning one of their last contracts in 2017/18. Started this season with a bang by scoring the fastest ever half century by a Queenslander in One Day Domestic Cricket, notching 71 off 32 balls in the JLT Cup. Look out for him to be called upon during the Heat’s BBL08 season.

HOBART HURRICANES

• * Jofra Archer (OS)
• * George Bailey
• * Johan Botha
• * Alex Doolan
• * Jake Doran
• * James Faulkner
• * Caleb Jewell
• * Ben McDermott
• * Riley Meredith
• * Simon Milenko
• * Tymal Mills (OS)
• * David Moody
• * Tim Paine
• * Tom Rogers
• * Clive Rose
• * D’Arcy Short
• * Aaron Summers
• * Matthew Wade

Summary: The Hurricanes have one of the strongest teams of the competition, fielding a range of experienced players. However, they lose a veteran and now Australian captain Tim Paine to the Test team. Never winning a BBL season previously, they set out to achieve this in season eight of the competition.

Batting: D’Arcy Short was the best batsman of the tournament last season, scoring a massive 572 runs, with the highest score of 122 not out. Out of the top 10 highest scores in BBL07, he featured in three of them, also scoring 97 and 96. Ben McDermott is another promising batsman, with an average of 36.11 throughout 2017/18.

Bowling: The shining bowler last season was Jofra Archer, taking 16 wickets for the year, ranking fifth in wickets taken by BBL bowlers. His best innings was 3/15, ranking 14th. Tymal Mills is another notable bowler for the Hurricanes, taking eight wickets.

Overseas player(s): Outstanding quick Archer is back for BBL08. But we shouldn’t only look out for his bowling skills, with the 23-year-old a known all-rounder, noted as a crafted right-hand batsman as well.

Young gun: Caleb Jewel will make his Big Bash debut in 2018/19. The 21-year-old is a known left-hand batsman, previously playing for Tasmania under 23s. Jewel is ready to go this season, especially knowing the chances of some of his teammates getting called up to higher duties.

MELBOURNE RENEGADES

• * Cameron Boyce
• * Dan Christian
• * Tom Cooper
• * Zak Evans
• * Aaron Finch
• * Harry Gurney (late overseas replacement for Usman Khan Shinwari)
• * Marcus Harris
• * Mackenzie Harvey
• * Jon Holland
• * Tim Ludeman
• * Joe Mennie
• * Mohammad Nabi (OS)
• * Kane Richardson
• * Usman Khan Shinwari (OS)
• * Will Sutherland
• * Christopher Tremain
• * Beau Webster
• * Cameron White
• * Jack Wildermuth

Summary: Finishing third in BBL07, the Renegades host some of Australia’s best T20 players, including Aaron Finch, Cameron White and Kane Richardson. This year, they have added to their experienced side through the recruitment of allrounder Dan Christian from the Hobart Hurricanes.

Batting: Well-known and experienced batsman Cameron White held an average of 76, the highest of the 2017/18 tournament. Marcus Harris was another outstanding contributor last year, scoring 324 runs and ranking seventh for runs scored throughout BBL07.

Bowling: The Renegades have lost their best bowler from last season, West Indian Dwayne Bravo. Bravo took 18 wickets last season (equal first with Rashid Khan) and also produced the second best bowling figures of 5/28. Richardson also assisted with the bowling duties with 12 wickets for the season.

Overseas player(s): Afghani allrounder Mohammad Nabi returns after lighting up the Big Bash last season. Usman Khan Shinwari is a 24-year-old left arm quick from Pakistan who has played at ODI and T20I level, including last month’s T20I series against Australia. He will play the first seven matches of the season before Harry Gurney arrives to replace him. Gurney, 32, is also a left-arm seam bowler who played ODI and T20I cricket for England and currently plays for Nottinghamshire.

Young gun: Will Sutherland played one game during BBL07 after being moved up into the senior side. He is a talented all-rounder, but more acknowledged for his bowling, especially with the new ball. He took 1/32 in his first Big Bash game during the 2017/18 season. Sutherland started the JLT Cup on fire this year with a five-wicket haul before suffering a back injury. He is due back in January, meaning he should play most of the Big Bash.

MELBOURNE STARS

• * Michael Beer
• * Jackson Bird
• * Scott Boland
• * Liam Bowe
• * Dwayne Bravo (OS)
• * Jackson Coleman
• * Travis Dean
• * Ben Dunk
• * Sebastian Gotch
• * Evan Gulbis
• * Peter Handscomb
• * Sandeep Lamichhane (OS)
• * Nic Maddison
• * Glenn Maxwell
• * Jonathan Merlo
• * Liam Plunkett (late season replacement for Lamichhane)
• * Marcus Stoinis
• * Daniel Worrall
• * Adam Zampa

Summary: With Dwayne Bravo, Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddison and Marcus Stoinis on the list, the Stars look strong after finishing last in BBL07.

Batting: Marcus Stoinis returns for BBL08 after achieving the fourth highest individual score last tournament (99) in a near match-winning display against the Heat. Maxwell is a fan favourite with his big hits and he is back as well. These shots helped him to 299 runs throughout 2017/18, ranking in the top 10 for total runs.

Bowling: The Stars’ top wicket taker from last year, John Hastings (10), has been forced to retire for medical reasons. Fast bowler Jackson Coleman starred last season, taking 3/27 during the local derby against Melbourne rivals, the Renegades.

Overseas player(s): The Stars have pulled off the recruitment coup of the Big Bash by luring West Indian T20 great Dwayne Bravo from city rivals the Renegades. Further, the dual signing of international spinners allows both bowlers to compete in BBL08 tournament, playing separate halves of the season. Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal) has signed for the first half of the season due to BPL commitments with the Sylhet Sixers commencing in January. His spin bowling caught the attention of the Stars recruiter, along with the energy he brings to the field. Liam Plunkett (England) will replace Lamichhane for the second half of the season.

Young gun: Sebastian Gotch made his Big Bash debut last season, with the promising keeper-batsman making 72 runs in five games.

PERTH SCORCHERS

• * Ashton Agar
• * Cameron Bancroft (available from 29 Dec)
• * Jason Behrendorff
• * Hilton Cartwright
• * Nathan Coulter-Nile
• * Cameron Green
• * Josh Inglis
• * Matthew Kelly
• * Michael Klinger
• * Shaun Marsh
• * Mitch Marsh
• * Joel Paris
• * Usman Qadir (OS)
• * Jhye Richardson
• * Ashton Turner
• * Andrew Tye
• * Sam Whiteman
• * David Willey (OS)

Summary: The most successful franchise in BBL history (boasting three titles) have assembled another strong squad for 2018/19. However, perhaps their biggest loss is off the field, with coach Justin Langer leaving his beloved state for the Australian role.

Batting: The Scorchers struggled for top order runs last season, with Shaun Marsh, Cameron Bancroft and Mitchell Marsh on national duties. They were therefore forced to rely on middle order hitter Ashton Turner, who scored 252 runs at an astronomical strike rate of 162.58.

Bowling: Andrew Tye took the BBL by storm last year, taking the third most wickets despite playing half the games of his rivals. Tye took a scalp every 8.8 balls on his way to 16 wickets, before being rewarded for his remarkable form with an Australian call-up. In the spin department, Ashton Agar produced the second best economy rate of the tournament (5.74) on his way to eight wickets in nine games.

Overseas player(s): English allrounder David Willey returns to The Furnace with his potent mix of monster hitting and flat out pace. He managed just six games last year before national duty, but collected a decent haul of 127 runs and six wickets. Usman Qadir, son of Pakistan legend Abdul Qadir, scores the other international slot. Like his old man, Qadir is a leg spinner with an impossible-to-read wrong ‘un. He has already bamboozled his way through domestic batting orders this season in the JLT Cup for Western Australia.

Young gun: Cameron Green is a big, strapping allrounder standing 6-foot-7-inches. Honing his skills on the bouncy WACA deck, he can bowl in excess of 140km/h and bat in the top six — an ominous combo in anyone’s book. Green took 5/24 on first class debut at just 17.

SYDNEY SIXERS

• * Sean Abbott
• * Justin Avendano
• * Tom Curran (OS)
• * Ben Dwarshuis
• * Joe Denly (OS)
• * Jack Edwards
• * Mickey Edwards
• * Dan Fallins
• * Moises Henriques
• * Daniel Hughes
• * Nathan Lyon
• * Peter Nevill
• * Stephen O’Keefe
• * Josh Philippe
• * Lloyd Pope
• * Jordan Silk
• * Henry Thornton
• * Greg West

Summary: The Sixers won the inaugural Big Bash in 2011-12, but have hardly been a factor since. English import Joe Denly will be key at the top of the order, while proven T20 player Moises Henriques is back on deck full-time after missing much of last season for personal reasons.

Batting: The Sixers’ best batsman from last year, Nic Maddinson, has left for the Stars. Plenty of responsibility therefore falls to Daniel Hughes, who snuck into the top 20 run scorers last year with 227, while Henriques will also look to build on strong JLT Cup form.

Bowling: Sean Abbott topped the tally for the Sixers last season with 13 wickets. However, it’s slim pickings from there, with Nathan Lyon to miss plenty of BBL due to national duty.

Overseas player(s): English gun Denly is back in pink after smoking 146 runs at 73 in just four matches last season, while Tom Curran is English import noted for death bowling and handy lower order batting.

Young gun: Jack Edwards, only 18, is a rising batting star and joins older brother Mickey at the Sixers to be the first brothers to represent the club in its history. He scored a century in domestic one day cricket this season for the NSW Blues, being the youngest player to do so. Edwards’ crafty batting skills have him in the running to open the batting for the Sixers. Dubbed the “Next Warnie”, Lloyd Pope recently became the youngest bowler ever to claim a seven-wicket haul in the Sheffield Shield, taking 7-87 for South Australia against Queensland at the Adelaide Oval.

SYDNEY THUNDER

• * Fawad Ahmed
• * Jos Buttler (OS)
• * Patrick Cummins
• * Callum Ferguson
• * Ryan Gibson
• * Chris Green
• * Liam Hatcher
• * Usman Khawaja
• * Jay Lenton
• * Nathan McAndrew
• * Arjun Nair
• * Kurtis Patterson
• * Sam Rainbird
• * Joe Root (OS)
• * Daniel Sams
• * Gurinder Sandhu
• * Jason Sangha
• * Shane Watson
• * Chris Jordan and Anton Devcich (late season overseas replacements for Joe Root and Jos Buttler)

Summary: On paper, the Thunder feature one of the hottest rosters in the Big Bash, including international stars Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins. But in reality, the involvement of all four will be limited due to England and Australian duty. As such, plenty will fall on ageless skipper Shane Watson.

Batting: Watson led the way for the Thunder with 331 runs last season, the fifth most of any player. Buttler was also brilliant, almost scraping into the top 20 run scorers despite playing just six games.

Bowling: Fawad Ahmed emerged as one of the premier spinners in the competition last year, taking 12 wickets in 10 games to sit equal eighth on the wickets list. Spin was a clear strength for the Thunder on the generally slow Spotless Stadium surface, with Arjun Nair (nine) and Chris Green (seven) also chipping in.

Overseas player(s): The Thunder have secured the recruitment coup of the tournament by signing English captain Root for his first ever domestic one-day tournament, while big-hitting Buttler will line up for his second season with the western Sydney side. Chris Jordan and Anton Devcich are late season replacements for Root and Buttler.

Young gun: Daniel Sams is coming off a strong first BBL season with the Sixers, taking seven wickets in six games, including an impressive best of 4/14. However, Sams didn’t get much action with the bat, only facing three balls for the tournament. Expect this to change in 2018/19, with Sams producing a number of big-hitting displays in the JLT Cup for NSW and set to perform a Ben Cutting-like role for the Thunder in the final 10 overs.