The Australian Domestic T20 Big Bash League is upon us again after the successful fifth instalment was taken out by historical cellar dweller the Sydney Thunder. The Thunder was considered a genuine underdog, finding itself on the eighth line of title markets at $12.00 pretournament. As its form built throughout the home and away rounds, smart punters were able to take advantage of some bulging odds and were rewarded at the end of the season. The competition was a yet again a massive winner on free to air television for Network Ten, who continued to enjoy great ratings throughout its duration. The popularity of the league appears to grow with every season, justified by bigger membership tallies, great attendances and highlighted by a record crowd of 80,883 at the MCG for the Melbourne derby.
There are no changes to the BBL06 format, with teams playing eight home and away fixtures, ending with the top four competing for a “Big Final” berth like past seasons. BBL06 will begin on Tuesday December 20th with reigning titlist Sydney Thunder hosting crosstown rival the Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium, before finishing with the Final on Saturday January 28th.
Can the Sydney Thunder back up its extraordinary turnaround with a second consecutive title? Can the Melbourne Stars finally live up to years of expectations and go one better after a BBL05 Big Final berth? We’ll take a team by team look across the competition to see who is up to standard for BBL06.

ADELAIDE STRIKERS

Title Odds: $8.00
Key Ins: Ben Dunk (Hobart), Kieron Pollard, Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Chris Jordan.
Key Outs: Hamish Kingston (Hobart) Mahela Jayawardene, Alex Ross (Brisbane), Adil Rashid.
SQUAD: Michael Neser, Ben Laughlin, Brad Hodge, Craig Simmons, Kane Richardson, Tim Ludeman, Travis Head, Kelvin Smith, Jono Dean, Kieron Pollard, Jon Holland, Billy Stanlake, Jake Lehmann, Jake Weatherald, Alex Carey, Wes Agar, Ben Dunk, Chris Jordan/Adil Rashid

The Adelaide Strikers were one of the strongest teams for the second consecutive season during BBL05, but again couldn’t perform in front of a massive home crowd during the Semi Final. It won seven games during the home and away rounds, but eventual premier the Sydney Thunder chased a slightly below par 159 with eight wickets in hand. Although the Strikers look to hold one of the stronger squads for BBL06.
Adelaide possessed a consistent batting line up last year, which saw it compile competitive totals more often than not. Travis Head became the franchise’s marquee batsmen, scoring 299 runs including a memorable 101 not out against the Sixers on New Year’s Eve which saw him hit the last 56 runs off 15 balls to win the game. He was well supported throughout the year by Ludeman, Hodge, Ross and Jayawardene, but the latter two won’t return to the Strikers for BBL06. Although they have been replaced more than satisfactorily, with big hitters Ben Dunk and West Indian Kieron Pollard important inclusions. Dunk hasn’t had the same impact since winning player of the tournament a few seasons ago, but a change of scenery could do the world of good after a poor start to the 2016 season with Tasmania. Pollard missed BBL05 with a knee injury and will be hungry to have an impact. It is worth keeping an eye on Jake Weatherald too, who is having an outstanding domestic season to date.
The Striker’s bowling attack has been one of the strengths of its recent success, but last season it was reliant on fewer wicket taking contributors. Adil Rashid was the key reason Adelaide finished on top of the ladder, collecting 16 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.51. He had the second most wickets in the competition and was arguably the most valuable player. He may not return for BBL06 if selected for England’s ODI squad in January, leaving a massive hole for coach Jason Gillespie to fill and creating a large reliance of Jon Holland as the recognised spinner. Chris Jordan is his replacement for at least the first two matches while on Test duty and despite being a completely different bowler, is a wicket taker. The ever reliant Ben Laughlin takes scalps for fun in this format, while Richardson, Stanlake, Neser and Agar leave Adelaide with strong pace stocks.
The Adelaide Strikers have finished top of the home and away table two years consecutively and it is now time to take the next step. Rashid is a potential huge loss, but there are still plenty of quality short format bowlers on the list. It will again be in contention for a home Semi Final.

Prediction: 2nd

BRISBANE HEAT

Title Odds: $10.00
Key Ins: Brendan McCullum, Alex Ross (Brisbane), Marnus Labuschagne, Jack Wildermuth.
Key Outs: Peter Forrest, James Hopes.
SQUAD: Brendon McCullum, Samuel Badree, Chris Lynn, Ben Cutting, Nathan Reardon, Mitchell Swepson, Alex Doolan, Alex Ross, Andrew Fekete, Marnus Labuschagne, Jason Floros, Luke Feldman, Sam Heazlett, Jack Wildermuth, Josh Lalor, Jimmy Peirson, Mark Steketee, Joe Burns

The Brisbane Heat produced its second poor season in a row, finishing in sixth position with just the three victories. It could have been a whole lot worse though after struggling at 0-4 at the halfway point of its home and away season, but finished BBL05 winning three of its last four to prove it is at the very least capable.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Brisbane Heat had a heavy reliance on Chris Lynn. He had a remarkable tournament with the bat, scoring 378 runs at an average of 54, while striking at an incredible 173.39. He scored more runs than any other batsman during BBL05 and was deservingly named player of the tournament. Unfortunately, that is about where it ended for the Heat with bat in hand. The inconsistent Lendl Simmons was next best with just 177 runs, followed by Reardon and Peirson with 155 runs and 151 runs respectively. The Heat have acted by bringing in retired Kiwi Brendan McCullum and Alex Ross from the Strikers, who’ll help form a stronger top and middle order. Marnus Labuschagne will also creating batting depth after a strong start to the domestic season, while Jack Wildermuth has also been making first class runs.
The bowling has been the weakest area for Brisbane over the past two seasons and it isn’t showing great signs of improvement. It failed to land a big name local bowler and have lost James Hopes in the process, who would still have been useful despite a poor BBL05. Leading wicket taker Samuel Badree returns after taking nine wickets last season, although his economy rate of 6.37 was just as vital. The next highest wicket total was a dismal four, shared by Lalor, Cutting, Fekete and the impressive Mitch Swepson. Swepson only played two games, but the leg spinner had an immediate impact by taking two wickets in each outing. He is sure to be given greater opportunities after becoming a regular in the Queensland side this season. Apart from that, the cupboard looks bare and the Heat will need to hope there is serious improvement from last year’s poor performers.
After originally being one of the stronger franchises of the Big Bash, Brisbane have tailed off dramatically in recent seasons. Lynn will get greater support with McCullum at the top of the order, but it is still difficult to see wickets being taken on a consistent basis. If Lynn gets called up for Australian duties or doesn’t peak after a long injury layoff, a bottom of the table finish is realistic.

Prediction: 7th

HOBART HURRICANES

Title Odds: $9.00
Key Ins: Stuart Broad, Hamish Kingston (Adelaide)
Key Outs: Ben Dunk (Adelaide), Joe Mennie (Sixers), Darren Sammy.
SQUAD: Cameron Boyce, George Bailey, Stuart Broad, Dan Christian, Clive Rose, Jake Reed, Sam Rainbird, Hamish Kingston, Simon Milenko, Tim Paine, Shaun Tait, Jonathan Wells, Dominic Michael, Kumar Sangakkara, Ben McDermott, James Bazley, Beau Webster, D’Arcy Short

The Hobart Hurricanes were one of the most disappointing teams of BBL05 after having an outstanding batting order on paper pretournament. The star line up just couldn’t get any momentum, resulting in a season that was underwhelming to say the least. Only three wins saw the Hurricanes finish second last on the table and improvement is a must.
Hobart appeared a genuine threat of the title when considering names like Dunk, Sangakkara, Bailey, Paine, Christian and Sammy, but the fireworks just never eventuated. Bailey and Paine were solid contributors by scoring 240 and 239 runs respectively, while Christian had had his moments with two half centuries, but not much else went well. Sangakkara came with enormous hopes and was the biggest disappointment, scoring just 105 runs from eight innings. The Sri Lankan champion returns for BBL06 though and gets an opportunity to make amends. Ben Dunk wasn’t much better with 113 runs and has now been traded to Adelaide, while Sammy would bat only six times for 81 runs. It was a horror show and to make matters worse, there aren’t too many inform domestic cricketers on the list excluding George Bailey. Dominic Michael might be given an opportunity after averaging 42 from six innings during the Matador Cup, but hasn’t been given many Shield chances since.
The bowling attack certainly performed better, despite not being anywhere near as highly rated. Boyce and Tait lead the attack with 11 and 10 wickets respectively, while Jake Reed deserved greater opportunities considering he claimed 6 wickets from three matches. Rainbird will be better with another year under his belt, while you’d expect Clive Rose to develop further after six games during BBL05. The big name recruit is England seamer Stuart Broad, who will make his Big Bash debut this season. While mostly known as a 366 wicket Test champion, his 92 T20 wickets from 77 games at an average of 20.66 is impressive. He also operates at a respectable 7.08 runs per over. Hamish Kingston has come into the squad as part of the Dunk trade and adds pace depth after a solid Matador Cup for Tasmania.
The Hobart Hurricanes certainly have the potential to perform better with the bat, but with a list seemingly out of form, it is difficult to see it being consistently competitive. Trading Ben Dunk is certainly an interesting decision, an indication of faith lost. The bowling attack is solid, if not spectacular and will need to be consistent again. In a tight season, the Hurricanes are in contention to finish with the wooden spoon.

Prediction: 8th

MELBOURNE RENEGADES

Title Odds: $6.50
Key Ins: Brad Hogg (Perth), Marcus Harris (Perth), Sunil Narine.
Key Outs: Chris Gayle, Nathan Hauritz.
SQUAD: Aaron Finch, Tom Beaton, Dwayne Bravo, Tom Cooper, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Marcus Harris, Brad Hogg, Sunil Narine, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Nathan Rimmington, Peter Siddle, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, Matt Short, Cameron White, Nick Winter
With the rise of the Sydney Thunder, the Melbourne Renegades could arguably now be described as the Big Bash’s least successful side after it again failed to reach the top four in BBL05. The Renegades on field performance was hijacked by a little incident involving Chris Gayle and Mel McLaughlin, but with neither returning for BBL06, the team in red won’t have any off field excuses to hide behind this season so good results are imperative.
The Renegades would have preferred to produce some more winnable totals, but still produced four 200+ run scorers in Gayle, Finch, White and Bravo. The next group of players is where the side was let down though, with no other batsmen scoring over 100 runs. Depth has been a problem for the Renegades ever since its inception, but the recruitment of Marcus Harris and return from injury of Callum Ferguson is bound to help. Harris has been prolific since moving to Victoria in the off season, averaging a solid 37 during the Matador Cup and leading all in Shield cricket with 480 runs at an average of 60. Ferguson has also got back into form with 305 runs at 61 while striking at 110.50 during the Matador Cup and earning a Test call up. The thing that hurts the Renegades every year is the loss of Aaron Finch to the ODI side at the business end of each Big Bash League. He is the glue that keeps this franchise competitive and Wade is likely to be in the same boat having re-joined the Test team.
The bowling attack was an enormous issue for the Renegades during BBL05, with only 31 wickets taken by bowlers. Pattinson and Siddle didn’t play a game between them, creating heavy expectation on the likes of Tremain, Rimmington and Gannon. Those three are more effective in this format when bowling around strike bowlers, not necessarily as the main men. Although the Renegades have recruited and investing heavily into spin for BBL06, with Brad Hogg and Sunil Narine high profile signings. Narine has had action problems, but was cleared in April and performed solidly in the IPL and CPL. Considering Doherty is still on the list also, I think you can expect a sticky Etihad drop in wicket.
The Renegades certainly possess greater batting depth and have decided that spin will be its bowling weapon of choice. It will be interesting to see Narine and Hogg bowl together and just how successful the spin focus will be. The question like every year will be whether it can cope without Finch once he joins the Australian squad. If the side can, it is in the mix for a top four position.

Prediction: 4th

MELBOURNE STARS

Title Odds: $5.00
Key Ins:
Key Outs:
SQUAD: David Hussey, Michael Beer, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, John Hastings, Ben Hilfenhaus, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Tom Triffitt, Daniel Worrall, Luke Wright, Adam Zampa

After four consecutive Semi Final losses in its first four seasons, the Melbourne Stars finally overcame its hoodoo against the Perth Scorchers and reached the Big Bash Final for the first time. Although in a very tight decider, the Stars couldn’t defend a competitive 176, as the Sydney Thunder chased the runs down in the final over with only three wickets and three balls to spare.
The Melbourne Stars were obviously very happy with the squad’s results during BBL05, with all of the original 18 players retaining their spots. The x-factor remains with a team of significant individuals, but it also possesses the hunger for success after last season’s disappointment. The two internationals, Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright, will again highlight the top order after scoring 323 and 280 runs respectively last year. Pietersen hasn’t played much cricket since the IPL in April, but recently scored an attractive 79 for the Dolphins in the South African Ram Slam. Although the credit can’t go just to the former English players, as the entire batting order played a role at different stages. The Stars had seven players score over 100 runs, a number that most teams could only dream of. There is also a chance that the team in green could see more of its Australian contracted players who are currently out of favour with selectors. Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner could only play five games between them in BBL05 and with less ODI opportunities, could make regular appearances. In the saying that, the Stars are likely to lose the very talented Peter Handscombe for the entire Pakistan Test Series.
The Stars bowling attack has always looked threatening on paper and BBL06 is no exception. The MCG based franchise had many contributors last season with a lot of squad rotation with the national side. It meant seven bowlers took six wickets or more, with only Zampa and Stoinis playing every game of that group. Zampa was one of the recruits of the season, collecting the most wickets for the Stars with 12 and operating at a tidy 7.07 runs per over. While he’ll be required for Australian duties come the first ODI on January 13th, Hastings, Boland and Faulkner as stated earlier are expected to be seen in the Star’s green on a more regular basis. Hilfenhaus and Beer create further depth, while Dan Worrall is a proven wicket taker after seven scalps in four games in BBL05.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Stars will be in contention again. It has kept the same squad, knowing it already possesses the tools to go deep after missing out by so little in the BBL05 final. If it can retain some of those usual Australian squad members, you suspect it will become the team to beat.

Prediction: 1st

PERTH SCORCHERS

Title Odds: $6.50
Key Ins: Ian Bell, Mitchell Johnson, Hilton Cartwright.
Key Outs: Brad Hogg (Renegades), Marcus Harris (Renegades), Michael Carberry.
SQUAD: Adam Voges, Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Ian Bell, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, James Muirhead, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman, David Willey

The Perth Scorchers produced its worst ever Big Bash result in BBL05, but it had created high expectations in the past having never missed a Grand Final. It finally lost a Semi-Final to the Melbourne Stars, a result that would see it give up the opportunity of a title three-peat. Although after a couple of big name signings, the premiership talk has heated up again.
The Scorchers number one priority in BBL06 will be to score more runs, after an inconsistency plagued the franchise last year. It was rolled for some extremely low scores, highlighted by a disappointing 94 against the Melbourne Stars late in the season that gave its annual Semi-Final rival a mental edge. Its highest score for the season was 175, a total seen as only par by some franchises. There were some individual highlights though, mostly from the consistent Michael Klinger and Shaun Marsh who averaged 72.66 from his five games. The Scorchers hierarchy will internally be hoping that the Australian Test selection shake up will give the franchise greater access to the Marsh brothers and Adam Voges, which would give the batting order an ominous look. Ian Bell is also a very smart signing, adding class and technique to a middle order that has looked vulnerable over the years. The wildcard with the bat could be big name recruit Mitchell Johnson, who we all know is more than capable with the willow in the hand. Although a highest score of 30 from 46 T20 innings is lackluster to say the least.
The Scorchers have always looked most comfortable with ball in hand and deliver some of the most disciplined T20 areas in world cricket. Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff and David Willey were vital throughout the entire BBL05, all collecting double figure wicket tallies. Unfortunately Tye and Behrendorff are battling injury concerns ahead of the tournament and are unlikely to play significant roles at least early. That comes on top of issues to Nathan Coulter-Nile and Joel Paris, leaving the Scorchers with some depth worries in the pace department. Mitchell Johnson eases the pain significantly, but even he hasn’t played high level cricket since the IPL in April. Then there is the loss of Brad Hogg to the Renegades and while he wasn’t a huge wicket taker last year, his economy rate was still outstanding. It does give Ashton Agar the opportunity to step up and become the No.1 spinner after bowling just nine overs during BBL05.
There is no doubt that the injuries to Behrendorff, Coulter-Nile, Tye and Paris have some Perth officials worried. Although you can’t dismiss the Scorchers after years of performances under duress. It is a franchise with arguably the greatest culture and a group of players that share the same passion to produce under any circumstance. It always finds a way to reach the top four.

Prediction: 3rd.

SYDNEY SIXERS

Title Odds: $8.00
Key Ins: Jason Roy, Joe Mennie (Hobart), Daniel Hughes, Sam Billings
Key Outs: Ed Cowan, Michael Lumb, Trent Lawford.
SQUAD: Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Jackson Bird, Johan Botha, Ryan Carters, Ben Dwarshuis, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Daniel Hughes, Sam Billings, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Joe Mennie, Stephen O’Keefe, Jason Roy, Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc

After coming so close to winning BBL04, BBL05 was a major let down for the Sydney Sixers, finishing last with just the two victories. The Sixers have a squad chock full of talent, but are constantly raided of its best players due to Australian duty. This season looks like being no exception with it possessing a Test bowling attack of Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Bird and Mennie.
The Sydney Sixers batting order constantly struggled to build momentum through its BBL06 campaign, making poor decisions with bat in hand and losing wickets on a regular basis. Brad Haddin was the only local player who could average over 30 and score 200+ runs, with the likes of Maddinson, Silk, and Abbott having awful seasons with the willow. Michael Lumb was the leading run scorer with 253 at 31.62, but won’t return in BBL06 with the Sixers investing on two younger Englishmen on the rise in Jason Roy and Sam Billings. Roy is an opener who is really beginning to make a serious contribution to short format cricket. Now an England regular in ODI and T20 cricket, he scored 495 runs and made two centuries during the NatWest T20 Blast this year. Sam Billings hasn’t quite made his mark in the T20 format, but averages 45.65 and strikes at a staggering 111.42 in all List A cricket. It is difficult to imagine those local players having such poor tournaments again, while Moises Henriques will hopefully be a more regular fixture after playing just three matches last season. Daniel Hughes will also be a key inclusion after a strong Matador Cup for NSW where he scored 386 runs at an average of 64.33.
The bowling attack is difficult to judge with so many Australian contracted players listed. Starc and Hazlewood didn’t play any games last season, while Nathan Lyon snuck in for four games which included a five wicket haul. Bird, Bollinger and Botha played all eight games, but could only collect 12 wickets between them. Botha gives greater team flexibility this season after qualifying to be a local player. Sean Abbott showed improvement by taking 11 wickets, but needs to become more economical after going at 10 runs an over. Joe Mennie creates greater seam depth, while Henriques will be able to bowl more than four overs.
The Sixers are also difficult to judge with so many Australian players coming and going. The bowling attack takes the greatest hit, with the unavailability of Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon leaving few wicket taking options. The SCG based side could easily rise into the top four, but too many question marks remain when it is without those star contributors.

Prediction: 6th

SYDNEY THUNDER

Title Odds: $7.00
Key Ins: Eoin Morgan
Key Outs: Michael Hussey, Jacques Kallis, Hamish Nicholls.
SQUAD: Shane Watson, Fawad Ahmed, Aiden Blizzard, Pat Cummins, Jake Doran, Ryan Gibson, Chris Green, Usman Khawaja, Eoin Morgan, Nathan McAndrew, Alister McDermott, Clint McKay, Arjun Nair, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Andre Russell, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha

What a season it was for the Sydney Thunder. After years of being a cellar dweller and regarded as the laughing stock of the Big Bash, Michael Hussey lead the side to a debut finals appearance before going on to win a famous title. Excluding those who support the Thunder, it was everyone else’s second favourite team and arguably the most popular winner in Big Bash history.
The batting finally clicked for the Thunder, as its dangerous top order constantly laid the base for a solid total. Hussey and Khawaja scored over 300 each, with the latter doing so in just four innings. Khawaja’s numbers were just insane, scoring over 50 in each innings he took to the crease including two centuries, at an average of 172.50 and a strike rate of 163.50. The Thunder had many contributors though, with seven players scoring over 100 runs including Watson, Russell, Kallis and Blizzard. Although the batting stakes are set to become a whole lot difficult in BBL06. Hussey and Kallis will not return for the new season, both huge losses for the experience they bring. Usman Khawaja is entrenched in the Australian line up and is capable of playing all formats, while captain Shane Watson is under an injury cloud due to a calf complaint. Eoin Morgan returns as the new international signing after missing last year’s title, while the likes of youngsters Kurtis Patterson, Jake Doran and Ryan Gibson will be expected to make contributions with the bat.
The Thunder bowlers were outstanding throughout the entire BBL06, highlighted by the efforts of Clint McKay and Andre Russell. McKay was the competition leading wicket taking, claiming 18 scalps at an average of 15.22. Russell was the excitement machine and Thunder barometer, bowling searing heat and collecting many wickets with the new ball. His 16 scalps were title defining and it is great to see him back. Watson, Fawad, Kallis and Green all made solid contributions, with Gurinder Sandhu the only disappointment. He took just one wicket in six games and will be looking to build confidence after a poor start to the domestic season. The bowling attack has been retained and there is no reason to suggest it won’t produce again. Pat Cummins could be a vital inclusion if not on ODI duty, after not playing a match last year.
The Sydney Thunder couldn’t have hoped for a better BBL05, but this season looks like being a tougher proposition. The Thunder relied on a fearsome top order of Hussey, Kallis, Khawaja and Watson, but there will be times early in the season where the franchise will have none of those stars. The bowling attack still looks really strong, but it is difficult to imagine competitive scores being churned out on a regular basis like last year. It is a big call, but we could see the Thunder slide straight out of the top four.

Prediction: 5th

TOP TOURNAMENT RUN SCORER

The Odds
$8.00: Chris Lynn
$9.00: Kevin Pietersen
$13.00: Brendan McCullum, Cameron White
$15.00: Luke Wright, Michael Klinger, Shane Watson
$18.00: Jake Weatherald, Kumar Sangakkara
$21.00: Marcus Harris, Nic Maddinson, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marcus Stoinis
$23.00: Daniel Hughes
$26:00: Ian Bell, Moises Henriques, Shaun Marsh

Prediction: 

MICHAEL KLINGER (PERTH SCORCHERS) – $15.00
Chris Lynn is the obvious go to man for this market, but having not played competitive cricket for months, he is a risky proposition and may take time to find form. Klinger is the safest option on offer and rarely lets you down. He wasn’t quite his best during BBL05 by going out for two ducks, but still finished sixth on the total runs list. Hit the most runs in the NatWest T20 Blast for Gloucestershire mid-year and was solid in the Matador Cup.

Value: 

MOISES HENRIQUES (SYDNEY SIXERS) – $26.00
The Sydney Sixers skipper offers some value here after scoring the second most runs during the Matador Cup, with 414 at an average of 69. He followed that form with a century in his last Sheffield Shield game, but suffered a side strain that hasn’t seen him play since. There has been minimal information regarding the injury scare, but if cleared to play the first match, must be considered at this price.

TOP TOURNAMENT WICKET TAKER

The Odds
$9.00: Andre Russell
$10.00: Sunil Narine
$13.00: Samuel Badree
$15.00: Adil Rashid, Clint McKay, Dwayne Bravo, Pat Cummins
$18.00: John Hastings, Andrew Tye
$21.00: James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson, Scott Boland
$23.00: Ben Laughlin, Jason Behrendorff

Prediction:

JOHN HASTINGS (MELBOURNE STARS) – $18.00
Hastings has been a regular fixture in the Australian short format teams, but all of a sudden finds himself out of favour after leading the 2016 ODI wickets list before the New Zealand series. This opens the opportunity for a full season with the Stars. He has the sixth most wickets in Big Bash history and has already been a season leading wicket taker, when collecting 16 in BBL04. A death overs specialist who can claim scalps late in an innings as batsmen attack.

Value:

JON HOLLAND (ADELAIDE STRIKERS) – $101.00
Holland could only claim four wickets from eight games in BBL05, but with the potential unavailability of Adil Rashid, will become the Strikers number one spinning option. He is in outstanding form too, having collected 27 wickets from 5 Sheffield Shield games. He has also been one of the highest collective wicket takers in the Matador Cup in recent years and at 29 is ready to peak. Worth a small bet just for the potential cash back options.