The Adelaide Strikers finished 7th on the Big Bash League table last season winning the BBL07 title. They’ll be looking to get back into the finals in BBL09 after last season’s disappointing campaign. We take a look at the Adelaide Strikers in our full 2019-20 Big Bash League team preview below!
Adelaide Strikers Team Preview
Current Squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Rashid Khan, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Harry Nielsen, Liam O'Connor, Phil Salt, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jonathan Wells, Cameron White, Nick Winter, Harry Conway
Last Season: 7th
In: Phil Salt, Cameron White, Harry Nielsen, Harry Conway
Out: Colin Ingram, David Grant, Michael Cormack, Ben Laughlin
The Strikers took a surprising step back last year finishing second last, however they were only one game outside of a spot in the finals. Travis Head’s move into the test team along with teams beginning to negate Rashid Khan’s influence on games saw an expected title contender miss the finals.
The BBL’s leading wicket taker of all time Ben Laughlin is a huge loss for the Strikers that they will struggle to cover, but it will likely give Wes Agar a consistent spot in the side for the majority of the tournament. English import Phil Salt will be looking to cover the departure of Colin Ingram with his aggressive batting.
Adelaide will be hit hard from international duties with a bizarre ODI series in India occurring in January meaning Billy Stanlake and Alex Carey likely won’t be available for a decent portion of the season. Travis Head being on test duties won’t help their case either.
Jason Gillespie will lead the Strikers in his third season as head coach.
Batting
Travis Head will likely miss the beginning of the season on test duties meaning there is going to be plenty of pressure on Jake Weatherald and English import Phil Salt to perform throughout the tournament.
Matt Short, Cameron White and Jonathon Wells shape up and middle to lower order that has plenty of depth although they will likely be pushed up when Carey and Head are on international duties.
This batting line-up is arguably one of the best in the league and will be able put up big scores when at full strength, the big question looms about their depth when their key batsmen are away on international duty.
Bowling
Ben Laughlin’s move to the Brisbane Heat will add plenty of pressure to Peter Siddle to carry the load at the death overs. Billy Stanlake will provide plenty of challenges to batsmen in the powerplay overs. Wes Agar has been in great form for South Australia and will get a good look in the side this season with Laughlin’s departure. Stanlake will be a big loss if he is selected for Australia’s ODI series in India during January and will challenge their bowling depth.
If Rashid Khan can get back to his incredible form of the Strikers premiership campaign in BBL07, the Strikers are going to be tough to beat.
Best XI
1. Alex Carey
2. Jake Weatherald
3. Phil Salt
4. Travis Head
5. Matt Short
6. Cameron White
7. Jonathon Wells
8. Rashid Khan
9. Michael Neser
10. Peter Siddle
11. Billy Stanlake
Prediction: 5th
If the Strikers had a full strength list to pick from the whole tournament they’d nearly be a certainty to make the finals. Fortunately the new finals format means that five teams make the finals and with the talent the Strikers have, they should be able to sneak into the top five. The performances of imports Rashid Khan and Phil Salt will dictate how far the Strikers will go in BBL09.
Jake Weatherald top ADL batsman
$3.25
Rashid Khan top ADL bowler
$2.50
