The Big Bash League (BBL) is approaching the final stretch of the season, and the participating teams will see some changes as high-profile players leave for new leagues in the UAE and South Africa. However, several Australia Test stars will return to the BBL before heading to India for the finals, generating excitement among fans.
Here is which players, team vice, will depart, and the new ones will join:
Brisbane Heat:
The Brisbane Heat team will see some changes as the BBL season nears its end, with Sam Billings and Colin Munro departing for the UAE and being replaced by Test stars Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. Khawaja, the Queensland captain, will take over as captain of the Heat and is expected to bat alongside Josh Brown at the top of the order, while Labuschagne may take the spot at No. 4 previously held by Billings. Billings and Munro had inconsistent performances with the Heat, but both showed moments of excellence with the bat. Munro will also serve as captain of the Desert Vipers in the UAE.
Hobart Hurricanes:
The Hobart Hurricanes team will be without Shadab Khan as he has returned to international duties with Pakistan. Khan, an all-rounder, played in five games for the Hurricanes and took seven wickets at an economy rate of 7.58, but was not as successful when used at No. 4. All-rounder Jimmy Neesham also left the team last month for South Africa after a disappointing stint.
Neesham batted mostly at No. 6 or No. 7, with his best performance being a 19-ball 28 in a tight win over the Renegades. He also struggled with the ball, taking only one wicket. The Hurricanes do not currently have any incumbent Test players, but batters Zak Crawley and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have recently joined the team after participating in the England-Pakistan Test series.
Melbourne Renegades:
The Melbourne Renegades will be without spin bowlers Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Akeal Hosein, who have both left for the ILT20 in the UAE. The duo took 20 wickets between them for the Renegades and were an effective pairing. Hosein, a left-arm bowler, had a standout performance in his first BBL season and was particularly effective on slower surfaces. He also displayed his power-hitting abilities in the death overs on several occasions. The Renegades will welcome the return of Marcus Harris from Australia’s Test squad, as team captain Nic Maddinson is ruled out for the rest of the season due to a long-term knee injury.
Melbourne Stars:
The Melbourne Stars will be without Trent Boult, the long-time New Zealand fast bowler, for the remainder of the BBL season. Boult, who has struggled to find success with the ball for the Stars, provided some entertainment with the bat, including a T20 career-best score of 23 not out against the Scorchers at Optus Stadium.
Perth Scorchers:
The Perth Scorchers team will be without Faf du Plessis and Adam Lyth, who have left the team to participate in South Africa’s inaugural T20 league and the UAE’s Desert Vipers, respectively. Du Plessis, the former Test captain, had a strong start with the Scorchers but struggled in his last few games, while Lyth had a difficult BBL season and will look to find more success in the UAE.
The Scorchers have added Lance Morris, a fast bowler, to their team after Jhye Richardson’s recent hamstring injury. Morris, who has moved up the ranks in Australia’s Test pace stocks, hopes to have a breakout BBL season after previously modest success. Spinning all-rounder Ashton Agar has also returned to the team after playing in the third Test at the SCG, but Cameron Green will not be available due to a broken finger. The Scorchers also have Middlesex’s Stephen Eskinazi on their roster.
Adelaide Strikers:
The Adelaide Strikers team will look different as the BBL season nears its end, with a number of high-profile players leaving for new leagues in the UAE and South Africa. However, several Australia Test stars, including Travis Head and Alex Carey, will return to the team before heading to India for the finals. Chris Lynn, who recently had a strong performance with the Strikers, will depart for the ILT20 in the UAE after his second game against the Brisbane Heat on January 14.
The Strikers will also miss the departure of star spinner Rashid Khan, who played his final game of the season on January 5 against the Hobart Hurricanes before heading to South Africa’s T20 league. Khan had six wickets in seven innings and an economy rate of 6.43 and will be greatly missed for his match-winning skills and on-field passion.
Sydney Sixers:
The Sydney Sixers team will lose veterans Chris Jordan and James Vince, who will both be heading to the UAE for the ILT20. Jordan, a T20 World Cup winner, had limited availability with the Sixers but was known for his impressive fielding. Vince, a star player for the Sixers in past seasons, finally found success with a 91 not out in a successful chase against the Stars, but struggled to maintain that form. He will serve as captain of the Gulf Giants in the UAE.
Afghanistan quick bowler Naveen-ul-Haq is also headed to the UAE. However, the Sixers will receive a boost with the addition of stars Steven Smith and Nathan Lyon. Smith, who famously led the Sixers to the title in the first edition of the BBL in 2012, will return to the team after missing the finals series last season. He may replace Vince at No. 3, while Lyon will bring much-needed experience to the team, which has relied on young spin bowlers Izharulhaq Naveed and Todd Murphy.
Sydney Thunder:
The Sydney Thunder team will lose Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw, who are both leaving to participate in the UAE’s ILT20 and South Africa’s T20 league, respectively. Hales had a strong stretch with the Thunder, scoring three half-centuries in four games, while Rossouw struggled to get going. However, the Thunder will receive a boost with the return of David Warner, whose return to the BBL is highly anticipated. Warner has only played in three BBL matches previously, with his last appearance being in December 2013.
