The hightly anticipated, and revamped, KFC Big Bash League gets underway tomorrow night, and here at Sports Banter we can’t wait for the new format to be unleashed.

The KFC Big Bash tournament has generally mirrored the domestic leagues with each state being represented in both the Ryobi Cup competition and the KFC Big Bash.

However, that has all been turned on it’s head, with 8 new clubs given licenses to participate in a revamped KFC Big Bash League from this season onwards. Not only that, but the clubs were given free reign in terms of signing players including the ability to sign 2 overseas players to the squad and the ability for clubs to sign players from anywhere so there is no need for a player to be playing in the domestic competition in order to get a call up to the KFC Big Bash.

Two examples of this are Shane Warne and Matthew Hayden, both retired from first class cricket but both are coming back to have a crack at what should be a lucrative new competition if the Indian Premier League is anything to go by.

We thought the best way to preview the KFC Big Bash competition would be to give an overview of each clubs squad and a bit of an analysis of each teams strengths and weaknesses for the coming season. Let us know your thoughts for the coming season in the comments section or join us in the forum!

Adelaide Strikers

The Strikers have just had a major coup with the signing of Johan Botha of South Africa as one of it’s overseas players, the problem with this though is that each club is only allowed to have 2 overseas players on their roster. This means that one of Alfonso Thomas or Kieron Pollard is likely to drop out of the squad, perhaps there is a reason that they were allowed to sign a 3rd overseas player but nothing has been released yet to suggest that a 3rd is within the rules.

Most notable local players in the squad are Callum Ferguson, Michael Klinger and Nathan Lyon.

Squad: Aiden Blizzard, Cameron Borgas, Lee Carseldine, Tom Cooper, Adam Crosthwaite, Theo Doropoulos, Brendan Drew, Callum Ferguson, Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger (c), Nathan Lyon, Aaron O’Brien, Gary Putland, Kane Richardson.
Overseas players: Kieron Pollard, Alfonso Thomas, Johan Botha.
Coach: Darren Berry.

Brisbane Heat

Brisbane Heat have gone for some very experienced players in their KFC Big Bash squad with James Hopes as captain, and players of high calibre in Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Dan Christian, and they have brought back Matthew Hayden which is a massive coup for the league. However, the other side of this is they also have many young players to supplement them, the most notable of these younger players being Ben Cutting but he is currently injured and could miss a few games.

The overseas contingent has a New Zealand flavour with McCullum nad Vettori, and this could be a masterstroke with the Kiwis just tying the series against Australia. Their confidence will be high and they’ve also had some playing time on the Gabba which can only help them settle in easier

Squad: Ryan Broad, Nick Buchanan, Daniel Christian, Ben Cutting, Peter Forrest, Mathew Gale, Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, James Hopes (c), Chris Lynn, Michael Neser, Steve Paulsen, Chris Swan.
Overseas players: Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori.
Coach: Darren Lehmann.

Hobart Hurricanes

Hobart have gone with a largely experienced side with Ricky Ponting, Phil Jaques, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mark Cosgrove, and Xavier Doherty among others. One set-back though is the injury to Tim Paine that will see him out of action for the next few months and miss the KFC Big Bash League. The draw-back with the amount of experienced players they have recruited is that they haven’t really gone for any noted T20 players in their line-up which could come back to haunt them when they are chasing a big total and need someone to turn it on.

Overseas players in the squad are Rana Naved and Owais Shah from England, not exactly household names but this is where the T20 specialty has been sought, with both players experienced T20 players.

Squad: Travis Birt, Mark Cosgrove, Xavier Doherty, Luke Feldman, Evan Gulbis, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hogan, Phil Jaques, Matt Johnston, Jason Krejza, Nick Kruger, Ben Laughlin, Rhett Lockyear, Tim Paine (c), Ricky Ponting.
Overseas players: Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Owais Shah.
Coach: Ali de Winter.

Melbourne Renegades

The Renegades have recruited some big hitters and experienced T20 players for their inaugural KFC Big Bash season, with Brad Hodge, Aaron Finch, Andrew McDonald, Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait to lead the team. They’ve recruited Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi as their overseas players, the only questionmark over them is whether they can adapt to the Australian conditions and whether having not played international cricket for some time will leave them a bit rusty.

Squad: Ryan Carters, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, Aaron Heal, Jayde Herrick, Michael Hill, Brad Hodge, Graham Manou, Glenn Maxwell, Andrew McDonald, Brenton McDonald (c), Dirk Nannes, Nathan Reardon, Will Sheridan, Shaun Tait.
Overseas players: Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi.
Coach: Simon Helmot.

Melbourne Stars

The Stars have a solid squad but looking through it nothing really gets you excited for the season ahead apart from the return of the legend that is Shane Warne. It will be interesting to see how he goes in the KFC Big Bash league, will he perform or is he merely there to put bums on seats? In John Hastings, Clint McKay, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle there is a fairly good basis for a bowling attack there. Add to that the batting prowess of Adam Voges, youngster Matthew Wade and captain Cameron White and they may just surprise a few people.

Overseas players are Jade Dembach and Luke Wright from England, not many would have heard of these two but both are adept at the short form of the game and should provide the Stars with a bit of spark.

Squad: George Bailey, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Jon Holland, David Hussey, Alex Keath, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Chris Simpson, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, Shane Warne, Cameron White (c).
Overseas players: Jade Dernbach, Luke Wright.
Coach: Greg Shipperd.

Perth Scorchers

The Scorchers have recruited extremely well with some quality, experienced players filling up the overseas quota. Herschelle Gibbs and Paul Collingwood, while probably not in their prime, should provide the Scorchers with some much needed T20 experience.

Locally, the Scorchers have Brad Hogg. Michael Hussey, Simon Katich, the Marsh brothers, Luke Pomersbach and Marcus North as their most notable players, a pretty good squad if you ask me and I think Micky Arthur has done well to pick up the players he has. They should do well in the KFC Big Bash this season.

Squad: Tom Beaton, Michael Beer, Mark Cameron, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Davis, Ben Edmondson, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Marcus North (c), Luke Pomersbach, Nathan Rimmington, Luke Ronchi.
Overseas players: Paul Collingwood, Herschelle Gibbs.
Coach: Mickey Arthur.

Sydney Sixers

The Sydney Sixers have stuck with NSW based players for their KFC Big Bash squad and they have a decent squad as a result with Brad Haddin as captain and Australian players Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Shane Watson along with Ed Cowan, Josh Hazlewood, Steven Smith and Brett Lee.

Overseas based players include Dwayne Bravo and Michael Lumb.

Squad: Ed Cowan, Pat Cummins, Brad Haddin (c), Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Nic Maddinson, Ian Moran, Peter Nevill, Steve O’Keefe, Ben Rohrer, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Dominic Thornely, Shane Watson.
Overseas players: Dwayne Bravo, Michael Lumb.
Coach: Trevor Bayliss.

Sydney Thunder

Sydney Thunder have a cracking top order with Test opener David Warner, fresh off his first century, supplemented by Daniel Smith and Usman Khawaja but the big drawcard at the top of the order will no doubt be Chris Gayle, the West Indies powerhouse. He, for mine, is the biggest recruit of the KFC Big Bash to date and I think any other side will be hard pressed finding a more influential batsman in this form of the game. They were death a blow this week when under fire test opener Phillip Hughes withdrew from the Big Bash League as he wants to concentrate on the longer form of the game to get his form right for test selection against India, no word on his replacement yet.

The problem for the Thunder is that many of their top order players are out of form, most notably Hughes and Khawaja, but perhaps a few games of T20 will get them back on track as there will no doubt be less pressure on their shoulders in this form of the game.

The other overseas player is Gayle’s West Indies teammate Fidel Edwards, he should provide the Thunder with some pace in their bowling attack but I’m not sure how he will go to be honest.

Squad: Sean Abbott, Tim Armstrong, Nic Bills, Doug Bollinger, Luke Butterworth, Scott Coyte, Tim Cruickshank, Matthew Day, Luke Doran, Ben Dunk, Jason Floros, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Craig Philipson, Daniel Smith, David Warner (c).
Overseas players: Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle.
Coach: Shane Duff.

Predictions

It’s going to be a tight KFC Big Bash League by the looks of things, each team has their strengths and weaknesses and from going through the squad lists no team really has all bases covered. Adelaide and Hobart look the weakest of all the teams and I think that they will struggle to make an impact on the league with the players at their disposal, Hobart especially considering Ponting and Hilffenhaus (when fit) could be called into National duties.

The strongest batting line-up to me would be the Thunder, and to be honest that is what T20 is all about, you don’t need star bowlers in this form of the game, you need bowlers who can keep it tight and change the pace of the ball when it is required.

On paper you’d have to say that the Sydney and Melbourne teams look quite strong, while the Scorchers have also recruited quite well, there is a reason that Micky Arthur was appointed Australian head coach so he will no doubt be all over this.

Brisbane Heat also have a good looking side with the addition of Vettori and McCullum so they will be up there come the end of the season too.

Here is how I think the KFC Big Bash table will look come the end of January:

1. Melbourne Renegades
2. Sydney Thunder (eventual winners)
3. Brisbane Heat
4. Perth Scorchers
5. Sydney Sixers
6. Melbourne Stars
7. Adelaide Strikers
8. Hobart Hurricanes

Odds:

Melbourne Renegades: $5.50
Melbourne Stars: $6.00
Brisbane Heat: $6.50
Adelaide Strikers: $7.50
Sydney Sixers: $7.50
Sydney Thunder: $7.50
Hobart Hurricanes: $8.00
Perth Scorchers: $9.00