The Big Bash is back, and this season already feels like it has a little extra spark about it. New signings, returning stars, fresh international flair and a packed summer schedule have set the stage for one of the most intriguing BBL campaigns in years.
Every club has retooled in its own way, young talent is bubbling up across the league, and the usual powerhouses suddenly look just a little less certain. With storylines everywhere you look and the promise of nightly fireworks, this edition of the Big Bash has all the makings of a summer classic.
Check out our full season preview for BBL15 below and check back on our cricket page for game previews and betting tips for EVERY match throughout the season.
BBL15 Season Preview & Betting Tips
Team by Team Preview
(in predicted ladder order)
Squad: Tom Andrews, Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Aidan O'Connor, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley, David Warner
Ins: Aidan O'Connor
Outs: Liam Hatcher, Jason Sangha
The Thunder have secured the backbone of their squad ahead of BBL15, locking in Tanveer Sangha, Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft on long term deals, while captain David Warner returns for a full season alongside rising opener Sam Konstas on a four year extension. English recruit Sam Billings and stalwart Chris Green remain central pieces, and the club strengthened further at the draft by bringing back Lockie Ferguson and adding Pakistan star Shadab Khan. With Ferguson unavailable early due to overseas commitments, Reece Topley will cover the first half of the tournament before handing over the reins.
There has been some movement, with Liam Hatcher joining the Stars and Jason Sangha departing to the Strikers after nearly a decade in green, but the Thunder have still managed to enhance their star power. The headline addition was Indian great Ravichandran Ashwin signing a landmark deal for BBL15, although a knee injury has ruled him out of playing. The club hopes he will still contribute in a mentoring role later in the season. With a settled core, elite overseas talent and a clear balance across the squad, the Thunder shape as genuine contenders once again.
I think the Thunder are in prime position to improve on their 3rd place finish last year and go the extra step to win BBL15. David Warner has proven time and time again that he is a class above this competition, smashing 405 runs at 45.0 last season on the back of minimal prep. He'll have another big season and when you add in a core that are some of the best T20 specialists in the world in the likes of Sams, Green and Billings as well as a full season from Sam Konstas and the addition of Ashwin. This team has the ability to win it all.
Sydney Thunder BBL15 Champions
$7.00
Squad: Rehan Ahmed, Marcus Bean, Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Rishad Hossain, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Mac Wright
Ins: Rehan Ahmed, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Out: Waqar Salamkheil, Shai Hope, Caleb Jewell
Tim David was the headline signing of Hobart’s off season, resisting strong interest from rival clubs to re commit on a two year deal. His return keeps the core of the Hurricanes title winning squad intact, with Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Nikhil Chaudhary and Ben McDermott all locked in long term, and Matthew Wade also set for another campaign. Hobart strengthened further by adding Beau Webster, who returns to the club after several seasons away, and Jake Weatherald, whose two year deal follows an outstanding Sheffield Shield season. The only major departure is opener Caleb Jewell, traded to the Renegades in search of more opportunity and freeing up cap space for Hobart’s new recruits.
To refresh their spin stocks, Hobart turned to the draft and secured two exciting young leg spinners in Rishad Hossain and Rehan Ahmed, both offering attacking options with the ball and useful lower order hitting. Fast bowler Billy Stanlake has also extended his stay with a new two year deal, while fringe batters Jake Doran and Charlie Wakim have moved on after their contracts expired. The result is a squad that retains its championship backbone while adding depth, versatility and fresh upside ahead of their title defence.
Hurricanes Top 4 Finish
$1.50
Squad: Sean Abbott, Babar Azam, Jafer Chohan, Sam Curran, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith. Marquee supplementary list: Mitchell Starc
Ins: Babar Azam, Sam Curran, Kane Richardson, Mitch Starc
Outs: James Vince, Akeal Hosein, Jackson Bird
The Sixers made the biggest splash of the offseason by securing Pakistan superstar Babar Azam as their pre draft direct signing, a marquee addition who will be available for the entire tournament and finals. They backed that up at the draft by selecting England allrounder Sam Curran, adding world class firepower even if he is only available for part of the season. It is a bold statement from a club determined to rebound after a disappointing finals exit, and it instantly elevates the strength of their top order and allround stocks.
Despite the headline arrivals, the Sixers have also maintained strong continuity. Key players such as Sean Abbott, Moises Henriques, Josh Philippe, Ben Dwarshuis, Jordan Silk, Jack Edwards, Todd Murphy and Steve Smith were all retained, ensuring the squad’s core remains intact. Hayden Kerr has re signed for two more seasons, rising keeper batter Lachlan Shaw has earned an extended deal after impressing last summer, and Kane Richardson joins to bolster the pace attack. While Jackson Bird has departed, the return of Mitchell Starc on the supplementary list provides a potential late season boost should he take the field for the first time in more than a decade.
Sixers top 4 finish
$1.65
Squad: Ashton Agar, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Laurie Evans, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, David Payne, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
In: Laurie Evans, David Payne, Joel Paris, Brody Couch
Out: Jason Behrendorff, Keaton Jennings, Matthew Hurst, Andrew Tye
The Scorchers wasted no time securing Mitch Marsh on a new three year deal, with the Australia T20 captain reaffirming his desire to remain a one club player. With his Test future unclear, Marsh is set to feature more consistently in orange and will play a major role in guiding a younger squad after Perth missed the finals for the first time in five seasons. The club’s established core remains strong, with Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar and Aaron Hardie all locked in long term, while their fast bowling future looks bright through Jhye Richardson, Matt Kelly, Lance Morris and rising talent Mahli Beardman. Morris will miss the season due to back surgery, opening the door for Beardman and fellow young quick Bryce Jackson to step into larger roles.
There has been turnover, with veterans Andrew Tye Jason Behrendorff joining the Renegade, but the Scorchers have moved smartly to balance experience and upside. Joel Paris returns as a like for like replacement for Behrendorff, while New Zealander Finn Allen shapes as their long term option at the top of the order, an area they have struggled to settle since Cameron Bancroft’s departure. At the draft Perth focused on proven middle order power by reuniting with Laurie Evans, a former title winner, and strengthened their swing bowling stocks with the return of David Payne. The result is a refreshed list that blends youth with key familiar faces as the Scorchers chase a return to the finals.
Scorchers top 4 finish
$1.65
Squad: Jason Behrendorff, Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Brendan Doggett, Jake Fraser McGurk, Caleb Jewell, Hassan Khan, Nathan Lyon, Fergus ONeill, Ollie Peake, Muhammad Rizwan, Tom Rogers, Will Salzmann, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert, Callum Stow, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa
Ins: Jason Behrendorff, Brendan Doggett, Caleb Jewell, Will Salzmann, Andrew Tye, Muhammad Rizwan
Out: Mackenzie Harvey, Kane Richardson
The Renegades have reshaped their squad with a clear focus on pace and top-order reinforcement. Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye both arrive from Perth as the headline moves, to compliment top wicket taker Tom Rogers. Brendan Doggett adds further firepower to the quicks, while Caleb Jewell boosts the batting after crossing from Hobart. At the draft, they secured Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan to bring experience to a young batting group, and also welcomed back spinning allrounder Hassan Khan. One of their biggest retention wins came when rising star Harry Dixon signed a new two year deal despite strong interest from rival clubs.
There have been departures, with Mackenzie Harvey joining Adelaide and Kane Richardson heading to the Sixers, but the heart of the squad remains strong. Captain Will Sutherland and explosive young talent Jake Fraser McGurk are locked in long term, while marquee spinners Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa return alongside Rogers, big hitting opener Josh Brown and New Zealand keeper Tim Seifert. With a strengthened bowling attack, renewed depth in the batting order and a mix of proven performers and emerging talent, the Renegades look far more balanced and dangerous heading into BBL15.
Squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tom Alsop, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Lachlan Hearne, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth
Ins: Lachlan Hearne, Hugh Weibgen, Oli Patterson
Out: Mitch Swepson, Tom Whitney, Tom Straker
The Heat made a major statement at the draft by selecting Shaheen Shah Afridi with pick one, adding one of the world’s premier fast bowlers to a pace unit already boasting Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and Michael Neser. Both Tom Alsop and Colin Munro return after strong contributions last season, while the club also secured a significant retention win by re-signing leading run scorer Matthew Renshaw on a new three year deal. Rising Queensland talents Hugh Weibgen and Lachlan Hearne have also been locked in as part of the club’s next generation.
Despite a disappointing title defence, the Heat’s long term list position looks strong. Bartlett and Max Bryant have re-signed until BBL18, Johnson is secured through BBL17, and young prospects like Callum Vidler, Nathan McSweeney and Jack Wildermuth are already tied down for multiple seasons. Marnus Labuschagne recommitting for a tenth year gives the squad another marquee presence, though the departure of leg spinner Mitch Swepson to the Stars leaves a notable gap in their spin stocks heading into the new campaign.
Squad: Austin Anlezark, Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Tom Curran, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Jon Merlo, Haris Rauf, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Swepson, Tom Whitney
Ins: Liam Hatcher, Mitch Swepson, Tom Whitney
Outs: Beau Webster, Joel Paris, Ben Duckett, Usama Mir, Adam Milne, Brody Couch
Melbourne Stars entered the off season with the most list spots to fill but moved quickly to rebuild their squad. Liam Hatcher returned on a two year deal to bolster the pace attack, while experienced leg spinner Mitch Swepson arrived from Brisbane to strengthen their spin stocks. The club also secured important retentions, with Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright and Tom Curran all locked in, alongside veterans Peter Siddle and Mark Steketee. Young talents Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway and emerging quick Austin Anlezark round out a settled core.
Their list was finalised with Jon Merlo re signing and Tom Whitney joining from Queensland, both on one year deals. At the draft the Stars leaned into familiarity, bringing back Joe Clarke to add flexibility at the top and behind the stumps, while Haris Rauf returns to headline the pace unit with his trademark express speed. The main departures are Beau Webster to Hobart and Joel Paris to Perth, but overall the Stars have built a deeper, more experienced squad with a clear emphasis on pace, power and proven performers.
Squad: Hasan Ali, Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Mackenzie Harvey, Travis Head, Thomas Kelly, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton, Lloyd Pope, Alex Ross, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Tom Straker, Henry Thorton, Luke Wood
In: Mackenzie Harvey, Jason Sangha, Hasan Ali, Luke Wood
Outs: Jake Weatherald, Ollie Pope, Fabian Allen, Brendan Doggett
The Strikers enter BBL15 with a settled core but some batting questions to address. Matt Short is locked in long term, while Chris Lynn has recommitted, yet the uncertainty surrounding D’Arcy Short as well as the departure of Jake Weatherald leave holes to fill, not to mention the fact that they will be without Travis Head and Alex Carey due to international duty. Their first major move was the recruitment of Jason Sangha, fresh off a breakout season in South Australia and a century in the Shield final, signalling a clear intent to reinforce the top order.
With the bat strengthened, Adelaide turned their attention to pace. They attacked the draft by securing Luke Wood and Hasan Ali, both available for the full season and finals, complementing Jamie Overton, who returns for a third year as their pre draft overseas signing. The local quick stocks remain solid with Jordan Buckingham and Henry Thornton returning, while spinners Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce round out a balanced attack. The only departures of note are Brendan Doggett and Jake Weatherald.
