Adelaide Strikers
Previous signing Ollie Pope
Final rights Adam Hose, Jamie Overton, David Payne
A draft pick 5, 11, 20, 29
The current team
James Bazley, Jordan Buckingham, Cameron Boyce, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Chris Lynn, Lloyd Pope, Ollie Pope, Alex Ross, D’Arcy Short, Matt Short, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald
It will be interesting to see the approach of new coach Tim Paine. Rashid Khan was not selected this season after missing last season due to injury. Jamie Overton had a big impact last year but there are concerns about his recovery from injury. “He didn’t throw much, because of the back injury,” captain Matt Short said. “Then there’s the possibility of the England T20s or some international stuff at the end of the summer, so it’s touch and go.” Short reiterated that he and Paine are committed to being signed overseas for the finals. Last season they had David Payne and the quickness on the left arm will add to a well balanced attack. England left-back Reece Topley is now fully available.
Brisbane heat
Previous signing Colin Munro
Final rights Paul Walter, Tom Banton
A draft pick 6, 14, 19, 30
The current team
Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler
After losing Josh Brown to the Renegades they will probably need to strengthen the top order, especially since they will only see Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne in a few games after the India series. Paul Walter was a cult figure last season and would once again fit the bill for a pace-bowler in the middle order to complement a solid and well-balanced attack.
Hobart Hurricanes
Previous signing Chris Jordan
Final rights Corey Anderson, Sam Hain
A draft pick 4, 12, 21, 28
The current team
Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis, Peter Hatzoglou, Caleb Jewell, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim, Mac Wright
What might they want in this draft?
Corey Anderson and Sam Hain struggled last season so the Hurricanes are likely to look elsewhere. All-rounder Salliann Beams had earlier said that they were aiming for a top-order batting with another allrounder. Adding to the spin-bowling squad could be another option after Paddy Dooley and Peter Hatzoglou struggled last year.
Who is the best pre-BBL signing?
12 votes
Melbourne Renegades
Previous signing Tim Seifert
Final rights Joe Clarke, Jordan Cox, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
A draft pick 2, 10, 23, 26
The current team
Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan Lyon, Fergus O’Neill, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Adam Zampa
The Rebels have confirmed that previously signed Tim Seifert will not be a platinum player so he may take a big name from the roster. The conditions at the Marvel Stadium could be a challenge and another top-class spinner could be ready to work alongside Adam Zampa given Nathan Lyon’s limited availability. Last option Mujeeb Ur Rahman has only a small window this season. In terms of speed, Topley has a previous relationship with the team and will provide a point of difference. Real speed is another aspect that the current squad shines.
Melbourne Stars
Previous signing Tom Curran
Final rights Dan Lawrence, Imad Wasim, Liam Dawson, Olly Stone, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf
A draft pick 1, 9, 24, 25
The current team
Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Joel Paris, Tom Rogers, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster
What might they want in this draft?
The length of the list of players signed by the Stars shows that things did not go as planned last season. In their own Draft rotation show, coach Peter Moores talks about the importance of full availability to bring some consistency to the team. He also talks about needing “aggression in the middle overs, certainly against spin … and trying to keep the left-hander’s balance.” They are another side that may lack a lot of ball speed among their fast crop. Bowling death and surgery numbers have been highlighted as problem areas which Curran will hope to help solve. It also sounds like they need a top specialist too – they have twice tried the impossible to get Rashid Khan out of the Strikers.
Perth Scorchers
Previous signing Finn Allen
Final rights Zak Crawley, Stephen Eskinazi, Laurie Evans, Tymal Mills
A draft pick 7, 15, 18, 31
The current team
Ashton Agar, Finn Allen, Jason Behrendorff, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matt Kelly, Mitchell Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
A very stable team, now supported by the power of Finn Allen. A number of Scorcher players have spoken to Laurie Evans after his huge impact last season and it could be worth bringing him back despite his ILT20 deal. Ashton Agar is currently the leading spinner so another option would be important on the away tour, although Ashton Turner and Cooper Connolly could provide spin.
Sydney Sixers
Previous signing Akeal Hosein
Final rights Izharulhaq Naveed, Rehan Ahmed, James Vince
A draft pick 8, 16, 17, 32
The current team
Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Akeal Hosein, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steven Smith
The Sixers changed tactics this season, signing Akeal Hosein to fill Steve O’Keefe’s shoes. They put a lot of stock behind progression in their squad, so keeping James Vince wouldn’t surprise us if he leaves before the end of the season. Izharulhaq Naveed played nine games in 2022-2023 and replaced Rehan Ahmed last season although he did not feature – that could be an option too, especially as Hosein is only available for the first seven games. .
Sydney Thunder
Previous signing Sam Billings
Final rights Alex Hales, Zaman Khan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore
A draft pick 3, 13, 22, 27
The current team
Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson. Nathan McAndrew, William Salzmann, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner
It sounds like the Thunder have made a big hire by bringing in Sam Billings, Nic Maddinson and Wes Agar and will have David Warner throughout. Another fast bowler will look to be in good form, perhaps a death specialist after having Zaman Khan last season. In a video produced by the Thunder, Trent Copeland and the coaching staff are seen discussing the importance of the extra left hand for the middle programs. “I would say that we played evenly every game last year,” said Copeland. “So I think that the best finisher or the best player in the election will be at the top of the list. It will be seen if Daniel Sams will be ready for the start of the season. The team was looking for Andre Russell but he has not selected yet.
Andrew McGlashan is deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
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