Over the next week, we’re doing brief team previews ready for our Big Bash debut on 5th December. Hopefully, our thoughts will help you craft those Big Bash teams that top the leaderboard come the end of January!
Number 1 – Melbourne Renegades
2020/21 Performance
8th place, won 4 and lost 10
Internationationals to avoid
Marcus Harris makes the Ashes squad, and so will miss most of the Big Bash.
Nic Maddinson may be involved with Australia A.
Overseas stars
Mohammad Nabi – The Afghan Talisman is currently ranked number one in international T20 all-rounder. With two Big Bash seasons behind him he could be an all-rounder star pick at 9.5m.
Unmukt Chand – Hit a match-winning century in the 2012 U-19 World Cup, and becomes the first Indian to play Big Bash. A disappointing senior career has left the 28-year-old playing minor cricket in the USA, so he’d be a real flier to take in our season-long game.
Reece Topley – The Surrey giant and England T20 squad member is a real steal for the Renegades. It’ll be his first Big Bash season, but at 8m could prove to be an absolute asset for your FanTeam bowling attacks
Ones to watch
Aaron Finch you’ll know all about. The explosive opener has dominated T20 around the world but did have an awful Big Bash campaign last year. Pricey at 10m, but so he should be!
Wicket Keeper Sam Harper was the 16th highest runscorer in Big Bash last season.
Predicted first game xi
Aaron Finch
Sam Whiteman
Sam Harper
Unmukt Chand
Mackenzie Harvey
Mohammad Nabi
James Pattinson
Cameron Boyce
Kane Richardson
Reece Topley
Zahir Khan
Number 2 – Melbourne Stars
2020/21 Performance
7th place, won 5 and lost 8
Internationationals to avoid
None – which may be a reflection of last season’s performance!
Overseas stars
Qais Ahmed – Will miss at least the first three games due to the Abu Dabhi T10 league. The Afghan international will prove a solid spin option at 8m once available.
Joe Clarke – Widely considered one of the best uncapped hitters England has to offer. The 25-year-old has previous Big Bash experience and could prove a great budget wicketkeeper option at just 8m.
Ones to watch
Glenn Maxwell pretty much is Mr T20. The Aussie legend had a quiet World Cup, but did lift the trophy so no doubt his uber-confidence is still intact. Prior to the World Cup, he had a fantastic IPL season and a good Big Bash last year, so 9.5m is a more than fair price for the Big Show.
Slightly more expensive is Aussie T20 international Marcus Stoinis. Number 12 on the runs total in last year’s Big Bash as a fearsome opener and tipped by many top pundits to kick on again. Whether he’ll be fit enough to bowl will be a weekly question though, and a big one for a 10m player.
Adam Zampa was debatably the star of the World Cup for Australia and made the top ten in wickets taken during the last Big Bash. Certainly, one to consider this time around.
Predicted first game xi
Marcus Stoinis
Joe Clarke
Nick Larkin
Glenn Maxwell
Joe Burns
Hilton Cartwright
Beau Webster
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Adam Zampa
Billy Stanlake
Liam Hatcher
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