BBL 2019-20: Consolidated previews of all eight franchises

Adelaide Strikers (captain: Travis Head, coach: Jason Gillespie, champion in 2017-18)

In Rashid Khan, Billy Stanlake, Michael Neser, and Wes Agar, the Strikers have a well-rounded bowling unit. The batting, however, does not particularly explosive barring the redoubtable duo of Head and Alex Carey. They would probably have wanted one, maybe even two, more men to go after the bowling at the death.

Key players: Travis Head, Rashid Khan, Alex Carey

Prediction: A middle-of-the-table finish

Brisbane Heat (captain: Chris Lynn, coach: Darren Lehmann, champion in 2012-13)

AB de Villiers’ acquisition by the Heat has been the most talked-about signing of this edition. They then went ahead and signed up Tom Banton. Along with Lynn – arguably the greatest batsman in BBL history – de Villiers and Banton are likely to get the Heat to set up totals than they ever have. The rest will depend on James Pattinson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and co.

Key players: AB de Villiers, Chris Lynn, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Prediction: Top four

Hobart Hurricanes (captain: Matthew Wade, coach: Adam Griffith, never won, runners-up in 2013-14)

The Hurricanes are known for piling up big totals, and in D’Arcy Short, George Bailey, Ben McDermott, Wade, and David Miller, they have batsmen who can help them do that again. However, the bowling looks thin, and it is unlikely that they will win their first ever BBL title.

Key players: D’Arcy Short, David Miller, Riley Meredith

Prediction: Bottom four

Melbourne Renegades (captain: Aaron Finch, coach: Michael Klinger, champion in 2018-19)

The defending champions look one of the most rounded sides in the tournament: they have big hitters in Finch, Tom Cooper, Mohammad Nabi, and Dan Christian; a brisk scorer in Shaun Marsh; and excellent limited-overs bowlers like Kane Richardson and Harry Gurney as well as Nabi.

Key players: Aaron Finch, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson

Prediction: Top two, probably final

Melbourne Stars (captain: Glenn Maxwell, coach: David Hussey, never won, runners-up in 2018-19)

Like the Hurricanes, the Stars have not won a BBL title either, but they were runners-up last time. They do have a solid unit, featuring stars like Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Dunk (in tremendous form in MSL), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, and Sandeep Lamichhane. However, Maxwell will have to play key roles in all departments if they have to pull off something of an encore.

Key players: Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Ben Dunk

Prediction: Top three, probably final

Perth Scorchers (captain: Mitchell Marsh, coach: Adam Voges, champion in 2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17)

The most successful team in BBL history, the Scorchers look as formidable as usual. They have acquired Joe Root; they have two big hitters – Liam Livingstone and Ashton Turner – who can also bowl; a bonafide all-rounder in Marsh; and limited-overs stars like Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, and Fawad Ahmed. What can possibly go wrong?

Key players: Liam Livingstone, Fawad Ahmed, Jhye Richardson

Prediction: A place in the final

Sydney Sixers (captain: Moises Henriques, coach: Greg Shipperd, champion in 2011-12)

Despite the presence of David Warner and Steven Smith, it is unlikely that the Sixers will go beyond the first round. While Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe will get to bowl on a relatively slow surface, the pace attack is not the best in the tournament.

Key players: David Warner, Moises Henriques, Steven Smith

Prediction: Bottom four

Sydney Thunder (captain: Callum Ferguson, coach: Shane Bond, champion in 2015-16)

The Thunder look more solid than explosive this time – this, despite the presence of Alex Hales. They do have big names in Chris Morris, Callum Ferguson, Gurinder Sandhu, and Usman Khawaja, but Chris Green – a sought-after name in franchise cricket – may emerge as an unexpected hero.

Key players: Alex Hales, Chris Morris, Chris Green

Prediction: Bottom four