Preview: Leg-spin twins the key weapon for Strikers

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BBL|10 result: Fifth, lost Eliminator final

Squad: Wes Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Daniel Drew (replacement player), George Garton (England), Ryan Gibson, Travis Head, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly (replacement player), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Daniel Worrall

Ins: Fawad Ahmed (Perth Scorchers), George Garton

Outs: Danny Briggs, Michael Neser (Brisbane Heat), Phil Salt, Cameron Valente

Possible Best XI: Alex Carey (wk), Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Jon Wells, Matt Short, George Garton (England), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Fawad Ahmed

Possible Best XI for first game: Jake Weatherald, Harry Nielsen (wk), Jon Wells, Matt Short, Ryan Gibson, Liam Scott, George Garton (England), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Thomas Kelly, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar

After bowing out of the BBL finals in the Eliminator last season, the Strikers will be looking to bounce back from an inconsistent BBL|10.

Jason Gillespie’s squad is a similar one to those that have undertaken the most recent editions of the BBL, but the addition of veteran leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed from the Scorchers will provide valuable support to Afghanistan superstar Rashid Khan.

Although the 39-year-old is set to miss the Strikers’ first game on Tuesday with a minor side strain, stand-in captain Peter Siddle said he would hopefully be available for game two.

Rashid is back for a fifth season with the Strikers and is undoubtedly the most important player in the line-up. He also comes into the tournament in good form after taking eight wickets in five games at the T20 World Cup.

With batting allrounder Matt Short often used as another spinner and Liam O’Connor also in the squad, the Strikers have plenty of slow-bowling options, with their bowling likely holding the key to their rise up the ladder.

The loss of English opener Phil Salt could have a major impact, especially early in the season when Alex Carey and Travis Head are away with the Test squad. Matt Renshaw is also set to miss the first few games with Australia A duties.

Experienced duo Jake Weatherald and Jon Wells will be expected to step up with the bat, while Gillespie will sit comfortably with the fact that he has the extremely capable Harry Nielsen as a wicketkeeper-batter when Carey is unavailable.

Bowling allrounder George Garton comes over from England and will be a healthy addition to the team’s fast bowling ranks, with Wes Agar, Peter Siddle and Daniel Worrall all poised to play a big part in the Strikers’ success.

Inside word with Strikers' captain Peter Siddle

The off-season

"To be back here at Adelaide Oval, I love playing here, it's always an exciting time, Christmas comes early for us so I'm looking forward to it. There's plenty of excitement in the group so we just want to get started. The Adelaide Oval is probably my favourite ground in the world, just the atmosphere and then the support we get in Adelaide is outstanding and the best in the country. Hopefully we can get a little momentum throughout (the tournament) and as disappointing as it is to lose these players (Travis Head and Alex Carey), it does give those guys that come in opportunities for an extended period and hopefully they find some rhythm rather than coming in and out and changing the line-up a lot. We should be a pretty stable side throughout and hopefully a few new guys can stand up and perform well this season."

Players to watch

"Fawad Ahmed, 'Fuzz', is going to be pulling on the blue this year – I think he's played for most teams now so he's ticking all the boxes – but he's an exciting leg-spinner. Him and Rash (Khan) bowling in tandem could be quite exciting. I think it's going to (require) a big stand up from some of the younger guys this year. We're going to lose Head and Carey at different stages, hopefully most of it because that's a good thing for them. Matty Short, who I think can stand-up, Harry Nielsen gets his opportunity."

The imports

"Young (George) Garton that's coming across from England, a little bit of a replacement for (Michael) Neser, he could be very exciting – left-hand opening bowler and can whack it with the bat so there's plenty excitement in the group. (With Ahmed coming in) it gives us opportunities to use Rashid (Khan) in more dangerous opportunities now like the power play at the start. He can be a big danger and a big weapon for us taking wickets so I think he can bowl a lot earlier. He could probably bowl a lot later as well and 'Fuzz' (can) bowl throughout the middle. The eight overs from them can be quite exciting for us throughout the tournament."

Biggest threat

"The (Sydney Sixers) have probably been the least affected by England Lions, the Test matches, all these other things that are going on at the moment that are impacting most sides, they're not really affected. They showed last night they're going to be the team to beat – they always are – and it just makes us want to chase them even more now."

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