The Big Bash League (BBL) is Australia’s premier T20 competition, established in 2011. The tournament takes place annually in the Australian summer, typically beginning in December and ending in January or February. 

Sydney Sixers were the inaugural champions of the Big Bash League. They defeated Perth Scorchers in the final by seven wickets courtesy of a 41-ball 70 from Moises Henriques. The Sixers are the second-most successful team in the tournament, winning it two more times in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Perth Scorchers went on to become the most successful team in BBL history with five titles. After losing the final of the first two editions, they went on to win back-to-back titles in the third and fourth edition. They added three more titles in 2016-17, 2021-22 and 2022-23. They defeated Brisbane Heat in the 2022-23 final to win their fifth BBL crown. 

The Scorchers and Sixers reached the final on seven occasions each, which includes four against each other. The two teams are also the only ones to win back-to-back titles.

Among the eight teams that have competed in the tournament across the 11 editions, six of them went on to win the title at least once. Besides the Sixers and Scorchers, Brisbane Heat have won the BBL title in 2012-13 and 2023-24. The likes of Adelaide Strikers (2017-18), Melbourne Renegades (2018-19) and Sydney Thunder (2015�6) have emerged triumphant once each. 

Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes are the only teams yet to lay hands on the trophy. Stars reached three finals and Hurricanes reached two of them, but failed to get over the line in the summit clash. 

Here’s a list of BBL winners list and know every Big Bash League champion. 

BBL winners list: Know every Big Bash League champion

Edition	Winner	Runner-up
2011-12	Sydney SixersÂ	Perth Scorchers
2012-13	Brisbane Heat	Perth Scorchers
2013-14	Perth Scorchers	Hobart Hurricanes
2014-15	Perth Scorchers	Sydney Sixers
2015-16	Sydney Thunder	Melbourne Stars
2016-17	Perth Scorchers	Sydney Sixers
2017-18	Adelaide Strikers	Hobart Hurricanes
2018-19	Melbourne Renegades	Melbourne Stars
2019-20	Sydney Sixers	Melbourne Stars
2020-21	Sydney Sixers	Perth Scorchers
2021-22	Perth Scorchers	Sydney Sixers
2022-23	Perth Scorchers	Brisbane Heat
2023-24	Brisbane Heat	Sydney Sixers

BBL champions: By every team

Team	Titles	Winning year(s)
Perth Scorchers	5	2013�4, 2014�5, 2016�7, 2021�2, 2022�3
Sydney Sixers	3	2011�2, 2019�0, 2020�1
Brisbane Heat	2	2012�3, 2023-24
Melbourne Renegades	1	2018�9
Adelaide Strikers	1	2017�8
Sydney Thunder	1	2015�6
Melbourne Stars	0	-
Hobart Hurricanes	0	-

Photo credit: Alamy

Australia’s Big Bash League 2023-24 season will start on December 7, 2023, with Brisbane Heat facing Melbourne Stars in the opening BBL 2023-24 fixture.

Last season’s finalist Brisbane Heat will host three-time runners-up Melbourne Stars at The Gabba in the curtain-raiser of the marquee Australian T20 League.

Organised by Cricket Australia, the 13th edition of the BBL will be played in a new format as the number of matches have been reduced from 61 to 44 to shorten the window.

Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder are the eight franchises that will compete for the coveted BBL title.

As per the new BBL format, a total of 40 league matches have been scheduled with each team playing 10 matches. The top four teams in the standings after all league matches will qualify for the BBL 2023-24 playoffs. The playoffs format has been restructured with a four-game finals series as compared to the five matches played in previous seasons.

The new BBL playoffs format comprises the Qualifier, the Knockout, the Challenger and the Final. 

The top two teams in the standings after all league matches will compete in the Qualifier to secure their place in the BBL final.

Meanwhile, the third-placed and the fourth-placed team will lock horns in the Knockout. 

The winner of the Knockout will face the loser of the Qualifier in the Challenger to book their place in the BBL summit clash.

The Big Bash League 2023-24 final will be played on January 24, 2024.

Meanwhile, the upcoming BBL season will take a short break for Australia cricket team’s opening Test against Pakistan in Perth from December 14-18. The BBL 2023-24 action will resume from December 19 onwards.

As per the BBL 2023-24 schedule, Boxing Day and the New Year’s Day will host double headers. 

Sydney Sixers will host Melbourne Stars at Sydney Cricket Ground on Boxing Day, while defending champions Perth Scorchers will face Melbourne Renegades on the same day.

On New Year’s Day, Hobart Hurricanes will square off against Sydney Thunder, while Brisbane Heat will host Sydney Sixers at The Gabba.

Perth Scorchers defeated Brisbane Heat by five wickets in last season’s BBL final to clinch an unprecedented fifth title.

Photo credit: Alamy

Table-toppers Perth Scorchers (SCO) take on bottom dwellers Melbourne Stars (STA) in their 12th match of the Big Bash League 2021-22 season at GMHBA Stadium in Victoria on Tuesday, January 11. The match will start at 8:30 AM IST.

SCO vs STA Dream11 prediction

Despite losing two of their last five matches, SCO will be the outright favourites to win the upcoming match. The batting-heavy team, led by Ashton Turner, has already beaten STA once in the competition in a match that saw Kurtis Patterson scoring a half-century. Tymal Mills and Andrew Tye did the rest, picking five wickets between them as SCO registered a 50-run win.

SCO vs STA Dream11 team tips for Big Bash League 2021-22

Top tip: Best batter

With Colin Munro out, we recommend you to go with Kurtis Patterson as a batting option for this match. The 28-year-old batter, who has scored 267 runs has been selected by 87.35 per cent of fantasy players and that comes as no surprise considering he has accumulated 419 fantasy points in the competition so far.

Top tip: Best bowler

With 18 wickets in 11 matches, SCO’s Andrew Tye remains an outright bowling pick for this clash. The Australian international has accrued 635 fantasy points so far in the campaign which is the best return among all the players involved in this fixture.

Top tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper

Perth Scorchers�Ashton Agar has been fantastic in recent times. The 28-year-old all-rounder made it to the Dream Team in three of his last four outings while tallying an impressive 218 points. Given the form he is in, Agar remains a strong recommendation for this match as he looks to add to his 118 runs this season.

STA’s Joe Clarke is likely to miss Tuesday’s fixture, making Cameron Bancroft, who has scored 163 runs this season, the obvious choice for the wicket-keeping spot. Bancroft has tallied 274 fantasy points this season and at just 8.5 credits, he remains a steal.

SCO vs STA probable playing XI

SCO playing XI (probable): Kurtis Patterson, Cameron Bancroft (wicket-keeper), Laurie Evans, Ashton Turner (captain), Aaron Hardie, Aston Agar, Chris Sabburg, Andrew Tye, Matthew Kelly, Peter Hatzoglou, Lance Morris

STA playing XI (probable): Travis Dean, Justin Avendano, Charlie Wakim, Glenn Maxwell (captain), Hilton Cartwright, Patrick Rowe (wicket-keeper), Tom O’Connell, Qais Ahmad, Brody Couch, Hari Rauf, Ahmed Daniyal

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Melbourne Stars (STA) will lock horns with Adelaide Strikers (STR) in match 44 of the Big Bash League 2021-22 season at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, January 10. The match will start at 1:45 PM IST.

STA vs STR Dream11 prediction

Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers, who occupy the bottom two spots on the BBL 2021-22 points table, will meet for the first time this season after their reverse fixture was postponed due to COVID-19.

While the Strikers may have just two wins this term, they will start as slight favourites against Melbourne Stars on account of the head-to-head record in the last five meetings. While STA have won two meetings, STR have won three games in a row between 2019 and 2021.

Furthermore, with as many as three players in the list for leading runscorers and wicket-takers, Adelaide Strikers are well-placed to get the better of an inconsistent Melbourne Stars on Monday.

STA vs STR Dream11 team tips for Big Bash League 2021-22

Top tip: Best batter

Hilton Cartwright is favoured as the top batter for fantasy cricket players in this game, and will be banked upon to guide a struggling Melbourne Stars to victory. The middle-order batter is STA's top scorer this term with 256 runs at an average of 36.57, and seems poised for a big knock against Adelaide Strikers.

Top tip: Best bowler

It certainly will be a smart move to draft seasoned Australian pacer Peter Siddle into your fantasy team as he’s the top-rated bowler for the STA vs STR fixture. The 35-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down as he has bagged 16 wickets at an economy of 9.40 in BBL 2021-22. Siddle - with 26 wickets across all formats at the MCG - will look to spell trouble for the Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell.

Top tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper

Among all-rounders, Matthew Short is well-placed to appease fantasy cricket players. The Australian all-rounder - with 507 fantasy points to his name - has aggregated 257 runs and two wickets so far and is fancied by onlookers to wreak havoc in the powerplay overs.

Joe Clarke qualifies as a smart wicket-keeping pick for this contest. The Australian wicket-keeper has accounted for more runs (203) than his opposite number Harry Nielsen (116) but is slightly behind in terms of dismissals (Nielsen - 6, Clarke - 4). With 333 fantasy points to his name, Joe Clarke appears confident of forking out a match-winning performance on Monday.

STA vs STR probable playing XI

STA playing XI (probable): Travis Dean, Justin Avendano, Charlie Wakim, Glenn Maxwell (captain), Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke (wicket-keeper), Tom O'Connell, Qais Ahmad, Brody Couch, Haris Rauf, Ahmed Daniyal

STR playing XI (probable): Matthew Short, Henry Hunt, Matt Renshaw, Jonathan Wells, Jake Weatherald, Harry Nielsen (wicket-keeper), Thomas Kelly, Rashid Khan, Harry Conway, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle (captain), Liam Scott, Daniel Worrall 

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Featured photo: AFP / Jewel Samad

Table-toppers Perth Scorchers (SCO) will lock horns with inconsistent Melbourne Stars (STA) in match 27 of the Big Bash League 2021-22 season at Marvel Stadium in Victoria on Thursday, December 30. The match will start at 1:45 PM IST.

SCO vs STA Dream11 prediction

SCO lost their first match of the BBL 2021-22 season against Sydney Thunder on Tuesday, December 28. Before that though, the team had won each of their first six matches. Riding on such illustrious form, SCO have established a three-point lead at the top of the table.

STA, on the other hand, have lost two of their last three matches and need to win in order to stay in contention for the playoff spots. Judging by the look of things, it is safe to say that SCO will be the outright favourites on Thursday.

SCO vs STA Dream11 team tips for Big Bash League 2021-22

Top tip: Best batter

Hilton Cartwright of STA may very well be the most picked batsman, but our recommendation would be SCO’s Colin Munro. With 389 fantasy points, Munro is the highest-scoring batsman of the encounter and judging by the form he is in, a devastating innings is rightly expected.

Top tip: Best bowler

With 11 wickets in seven outings, SCO’s Andrew Tye is currently the top wicket-taker of the tournament. The fast bowler has made it to the Dream Team in five of his seven games and has tallied an impressive 399 fantasy points to date. Goes without saying that he is a must-have player.

Top tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper

Mitchell Marsh of SCO is in some form this season. The 31-year-old has made it to the Dream Team in each of his five appearances this season while accumulating a whopping 504 fantasy points; most by any player involved in this match. Marsh remains a strong recommendation for this match.

As for a wicket-keeper, STA’s Joe Clarke should do the trick for most of the fantasy managers. With 254 fantasy points from six matches, Clarke is the highest scoring gloveman and thus a fan favourite.

SCO vs STA probable playing XI

SCO playing XI (probable): Kurtis Patterson, Colin Munro, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Ashton Turner (captain), Laurie Evans, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou, Tymal Mills

STA playing XI (probable): Marcus Stoinis, Joe Clarke (wicket-keeper), Glenn Maxwell (captain), Nick Larkin, Hilton Cartwright, Andre Russell, Beau Webster, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Qais Ahmad, Brody Couch

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Featured photo: Unsplash / Ste Clayton

A batting heavy Sydney Thunder side (THU) lock horns with Melbourne Stars (STA) in match 10 of the Big Bash League 2021-22 season at Spotless Stadium in Sydney on Sunday, December 12.

THU vs STA Dream11 prediction

Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars have already played once this season. The meeting came in match 7 of BBL 2021-22 which saw the latter cruising to a four-run win riding on the back of Nick Larkin’s half-century. 

On Sunday, although the home factor is likely to play a big role, we expect STA to do a double over THU considering the nature of the pitch. The pitch of Spotless Stadium in Sydney is likely to assist bowlers more than the batters, giving STA a big advantage for the fixture.

THU vs STA Dream11 team tips for Big Bash League 2021-22

Top tip: Best batter

Alex Ross of THU is a man in form at the moment. The 29-year-old has accrued 136 fantasy points from his last two outings while making it to the Dream Team on both occasions. Hence, it comes as no surprise that he has been selected a whopping 78.88 per cent of fantasy users.

Top tip: Best bowler

While Nathan McAndrew is one choice, our recommendation would be the STA bowler Adam Zampa. Although the 29-year-old leggie has accumulated just 50 fantasy points so far, the surface at the Spotless Stadium is likely to aid him in adding more points to his tally.

Top tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper

Hilton Cartwright of STA scored 42 runs off just 30 deliveries the last time these two teams met. This resulted in a tally of 59 fantasy points which makes the 29-year-old all-rounder a must-have player for the upcoming contest.

For the wicket-keeper’s slot, THU’s Sam Billings remains an outright choice. The 30-year-old England international has been fantastic so far in the campaign, accruing 135 fantasy points from just two matches. Not to forget his contribution of 31-ball 43 against STA in the reverse fixture.

THU vs STA probable playing XI

THU playing XI (probable): Alex Hales, Sam Whiteman, Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings (wicket-keeper), Daniel Sams, Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green (captain), Gurinder Sandhu, Tanveer Sangha

STA playing XI (probable): Marcus Stoinis, Joe Clarke (wicket-keeper), Glenn Maxwell (captain), Nick Larkin, Hilton Cartwright, Andre Russell, Beau Webster, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Qais Ahmad, Brody Couch

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Melbourne Stars (STA) take on Sydney Thunder (THU) in the seventh match of Big Bash League 2021-22 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, December 10.

STA vs THU Dream11 prediction

The two sides head into the contest with contrasting results. While THU humbled Brisbane Heat with a seven-wicket win in their first assignment of BBL 2021-22, STA suffered a humiliating 152-run defeat at the hands of defending champions Sydney Sixers.

Based on momentum, team combination and how both sides performed in their season opener, we predict a convincing win for Sydney Thunder against Melbourne Stars on Friday.

STA vs THU Dream11 team tips for Big Bash League 2021-22

Top tip: Best batter

Alex Ross starts as the batter to watch for in the STA vs THU clash. The right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 46-ball 61 against HEA in the opening match and he will be eager to replicate his performance again. With 102 fantasy points, the Australian should be an easy pick for most fantasy players. 

Top tip: Best bowler

THU’s Gurinder Sandhu is favoured as the top bowler for this clash. The Indian-origin pacer opened his account for BBL 2021-22 with two wickets against Brisbane Heat and is tipped to restrict STA’s top-order from scoring too many runs in the middle overs. The 28-year-old heads into the fixture with 60 fantasy points.

Top tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper

Daniel Sams is an excellent all-round option. The THU player grabbed three wickets in his previous game, and helped keep the game’s tempo in check. He should be amongst some runs soon as well, which is why fantasy players might want to draft him in for 9.5 credits.

Sam Billings qualifies as a smart wicket-keeping pick for this contest. The English wicket-keeper scored an unbeaten 36-ball 44 against Brisbane Heat while accounting for two caught dismissals behind the wickets. Available at 9.0 credits, he is a good buy.

STA vs THU probable playing XI

STA playing XI (probable): Joe Clarke, Peter Nevill (wicket-keeper), Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (captain), Hilton Cartwright, Andre Russell, Sam Rainbird, Samuel Elliott, Brody Couch, Adam Zampa, Syed Faridoun

THU playing XI (probable): Alex Hales, Sam Whiteman, Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings (wicket-keeper), Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Chris Green (captain), Nathan McAndrew, Gurinder Sandhu, Tanveer Sangha

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As the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 season heads into the final round of league phase, the teams will have their last opportunity to cement their place in the top-five.

With just four games to play in the regular season, only Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers have guaranteed a spot in the finals. 

The eighth week of BBL 10 features some mouth-watering clashes, and here are the numbers that will help you ace it:

Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder

The winner of Monday’s Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder clash will cement their place in the top-five. In their last five completed BBL matches this season, the Adelaide Strikers have won three matches while the Callum Ferguson-led Sydney Thunder have managed just two wins in the same number of matches. 

In the Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder head-to-head stats, Strikers have won seven out of 13 encounters while they have ended up on the wrong side on six occasions. Meanwhile, two matches had no results.

Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder head-to-head
Adelaide Strikers	Metrics	Sydney Thunder
15	Matches	15
7	Wins	6
2	Ties/NR	2
46.67	Win Percentage	40.00

Speaking of the venue, the last five games at the Adelaide Oval has seen an average of 29.8 boundaries and 11.4 sixes. On the other hand, batting first, the Strikers have an average score of 171 runs in their last five BBL matches, while Thunder have posted an average of 183 runs in the same number of matches. Interestingly, in their last outing, the Travis Head-led Strikers had defeated Thunder by six runs in a nail-biter. 

 Adelaide Strikers will start as favourites against the Sydney Thunder due to their recent form in the competition.

Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers 

Table-toppers Perth Scorchers have already locked their spot in the finals and they will look to continue their winning momentum against Brisbane Heat in their final league game on Tuesday. 

Captained by Ashton Turner, Scorchers have won four out of their last five matches in the league. On the other hand, Brisbane Heat need to beat Scorchers and then depend on other results to go their way if they are to make it to the top-five. Chris Lynn-led Heat have won just two of their last five completed BBL matches.

The Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head stats favour the latter who have won eight of the 14 encounters. Meanwhile, Heat have managed six victories. In their last meeting, Scorchers defeated Heat by 59 runs.

Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head
Brisbane Heat	Metrics	Perth Scorchers
14	Matches	14
6	Wins	8
-	Ties/NR	-
42.86	Win Percentage	57.14

If Scorchers are to bat first, expect them to score more than 170 runs, as they have averaged 177 in their last five BBL matches.

Riding on their winning momentum, Perth Scorchers will definitely start as the odd-on favourites against Brisbane Heat.

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers

Glenn Maxwell-led Melbourne Stars still have a chance to make it to the top-five provided Team Green defeat the defending champions Sydney Sixers on Tuesday but they will also need some help from other teams. Interestingly, Stars have won 3 of their last five matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

In the Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head record, the latter has an edge with 8 wins to their name in 15 encounters while the Stars have won on six occasions. One match ended with no result. In their last meeting, Daniel Hughes-led Sixers had beaten the Stars by just one wicket in a BBL thriller.

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head
Melbourne Stars	Metrics	Sydney Sixers
15	Matches	15
6	Wins	8
1	Ties/NR	1
40.00	Win Percentage	53.33

Batting first, the Stars have an average score of 172 runs in their last five BBL matches, while the Sixers have posted an average of 166 runs in the same number of matches. 

Considering the record at the MCG, Melbourne Stars are tipped to upset the defending champions.

Feature image courtesy: 2021 Cricket Australia.

As the race for the top four intensifies in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 season, fourth-placed Adelaide Strikers take on Melbourne Stars at the Adelaide Oval on Monday. 

As things stand, Sydney Sixers top the BBL points table with 25 points from nine games, and the Travis Head-led side is closely followed by Sydney Thunder in second place with 23 points.

The sixth week of BBL 10 features some mouth-watering clashes, and here are the numbers that will help you ace it:

Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars

Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars are separated by two points although the Strikers have played a game more than the Stars and have one more win. 

Both the teams will be desperate for a win after ending on the wrong side in their last encounter. In the Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars head-to-head stats, the Strikers have won six out of the 11 encounters, so far.

Adelaide Strikers	Metrics	Melbourne Stars
11	Matches	11
6	Wins	5
-	Ties/NR	-
54.54	Win Percentage	45.46

In their last five completed BBL matches this season, the Adelaide Strikers have won just two while the Glenn Maxwell-led Melbourne Stars have managed a solitary win in the same number of matches. 

However, the Stars have been the better starters with the bat this season, so far. While Strikers have an average score of 162 runs in their last five BBL matches when batting first, the Stars have registered an average of 176 runs.

With both the teams in inconsistent form this season, Monday's encounter promises to be an enthralling battle with the Adelaide Strikers starting as favourites.

Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes

Third-placed Perth Scorchers lock horns with fifth-placed Hobart Hurricanes at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Tuesday. Both the teams are currently separated by two points with Hurricanes having 19 points from nine games and the Scorchers have 16 from eight matches.

In the Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes head-to-head stats, the Men in orange have won seven matches while they have lost six matches against the Hurricanes.

Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes head-to-head stats

Perth Scorchers	Metrics	Hobart Hurricanes
13	Matches	13
7	Wins	6
-	Ties/NR	-
53.84	Win Percentage	46.16

In the last five BBL encounters, however, Scorchers have been the in-form side with four wins while the Hurricanes have managed just two wins in their last five completed BBL matches. 

Riding on the winning momentum, Perth Scorchers will definitely start as the favourites against Hobart Hurricanes.

Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers

The top two teams of BBL 10 will take on each other at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday. Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder are currently separated by two points at the top of the BBL points table with 25 points and 23 points respectively. 

In the Sydney derby head-to-head stats, the Sixers have the upper hand as they have won 11 of the 17 encounters played between the two teams so far.

Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head stats

Sydney Thunder	Metrics	Sydney Sixers
17	Matches	17
6	Wins	11
-	Ties/NR	-
35.29	Win Percentage	64.71

Interestingly, both Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder have won three of their last five completed BBL matches.

Batting first, the Sixers have an average score of 184 runs in their last five BBL matches, while the Callum Ferguson-led Thunder have posted an average of 161 runs in the same number of matches. 

Sydney Sixers will start as favourites due to their superior head-to-head advantage over the Sydney Thunder.

Feature image courtesy: 2021 Cricket Australia.

 

The opening week of the Big Bash League 2020-21 season was packed with intense drama and quality action that kept fans contemplating for some more.

Defending champions Sydney Sixers kickstarted their title defence on a sour note while last year’s runners-up Melbourne Stars won their opening set of fixtures quite comprehensively.

With a host of high-octane fixtures in the pipeline, we signal out the five players who are tipped to shine in the second week of Australia’s T20 extravaganza.

Player: Marnus Labuschagne, Brisbane Heat

Match: Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat

Though Marnus Labuschagne is yet to explore his immense potential, his glimpses of brilliance in the last term and the intra-squad warm-up match during Australia’s limited-overs tour of England propelled Brisbane Heat re-sign the 26-year-old for the Big Bash League 2020-21 season.

A confident hitter of the ball, Labuschagne is now in his fifth season with the Heat. While he has only played 10 matches in BBL so far, with 97 runs to his name, the Test superstar has earned the backing of head coach Darren Lehmann to attain success in the T20 format.

Labuschagne begins his 2020-21 campaign against Sydney Thunder on Monday, and is primed to register a commanding score in the middle order.

Player: Colin Ingram, Hobart Hurricanes 

Match: Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes

Hobart Hurricanes made a prolific start to the Big Bash League 2020-21 season, thanks to Colin Ingram’s 42-ball 55 who is eager to continue the form against his former employers Adelaide Strikers. 

The South African middle-order batsman, who was drafted in as a replacement for England’s Dawid Malan, last featured in the competition back in 2018 where he hit 333 runs in 13 matches for Adelaide Strikers.

Ingram has racked up 665 runs in 26 matches in his entire Big Bash League career, at a strike rate of 138.25 and will look to add on to the count on Monday. 

Player: Marcus Stoinis, Melbourne Stars

Match: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars

Marcus Stoinis�impact as a T20 superstar is widely known, with his 2020 Indian T20 League campaign with Delhi a clear indicator of his match-winning capability. The all-rounder, who finished as the Man of the Series in the 2019-20 season as well the leading run-getter with 705 runs, has a record of 1763 runs and 34 wickets from 62 matches and is favoured to be among the leading performers for week two.

After being dismissed for a duck in the opening fixture, Stoinis bounced back with a match-winning knock of 61 against Sydney Thunder and will look to extend his momentum against a struggling Perth Scorchers side, who were humbled by Melbourne Renegades in the previous fixture.

Player: Aaron Finch, Melbourne Renegades

Match: Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades

Fresh from a confident campaign with the national team in limited-overs cricket, Aaron Finch has made a positive return to the Big Bash League with a 28-ball 35 against Perth Scorchers.

The Australian skipper, who had scored 363 runs last term, is the second-highest run-getter in the history of the Big Bash League with 2275 runs. Given his strike rate of 136.22, onlookers can safely say that the 34-year-old Victorian will prolong his optimistic start when he returns to the pitch on Sunday, against Sydney Sixers.

Player: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Melbourne Stars

Match: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars

The Big Bash League has been a perfect competition to explore the tenacity of Australia’s homegrown pacers, and, amongst the many matchwinners to represent Melbourne Stars in the T20 extravaganza, Nathan Coulter-Nile has made a name for himself. The all-rounder, in his second season with Melbourne Stars, made a blistering start to the latest campaign as he bagged a four-wicket haul against Brisbane Heat.

The 33-year-old has 60 wickets in his Big Bash League career and is all set to cross swords with his previous team Perth Scorchers. He is tipped to maintain the Stars�quality start to the 2020-21 edition.

Feature Image courtesy: AFP/ David Gray