All the ins and outs as the eight clubs finalise their lists for KFC BBL|14
Full squads: Every club's list for the BBL|14 season
Strikers | Heat | Hurricanes | Renegades | Stars | Scorchers | Sixers | Thunder
Adelaide Strikers
Head coach: Tim Paine
Contracted for BBL|14: Fabian Allen (West Indies), James Bazley, Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Travis Head, Thomas Kelly, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton (England), Lloyd Pope, Ollie Pope (England), Alex Ross, D'Arcy Short, Matt Short, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald. Signed replacement player: Liam Scott, Liam Haskett
Ins: Jordan Buckingham, Ollie Pope (England), Alex Ross (Thunder), Fabian Allen (West Indies), Liam Scott
Outs: Wes Agar (Thunder), Ben Manenti (Sixers), Henry Hunt
BBL|14 Draft selections: Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope (pre-signed), Fabian Allen
Adelaide Strikers will be treated to a full season of 'Lynnsanity' for the first time with Chris Lynn recommitting for the entire BBL|14 campaign including finals. Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey is also back on board for this summer after signing a mammoth four-year deal to remain with the Strikers until at least BBL|17.
He'll work closely with new head coach Tim Paine who has taken over the top job following Jason Gillespie's resignation from both his Adelaide and South Australia roles to take charge of Pakistan's Test side.
Paine could also have the world's No.1 ranked men's T20 batter Travis Head at his disposal for their final three games of the regular season after the all-format Aussie star re-signed on a one-year deal.
The Strikers secured England Test vice-captain Ollie Pope as their pre-draft signing and speedster Henry Thornton has recommitted on a two-year deal. They've also added emerging SA quick Jordan Buckingham to their list after trading out Wes Agar and their second-round pick to Sydney Thunder to strengthen their draft position, moving up in the order from their 13th selection to the Thunder's pick 11.
At the Draft table, the Strikers used their first two selections to ensure Jamie Overton would return for another year and confirm their pre-signing Pope. They went a bit left-field with the Fabian Allen selection because the squad lacks three dimensional players and Allen can impact at any stage of the match.
Alex Ross, who was out of contract at the Thunder, will also return to where his T20 career began in 2014, signing a two-year deal to join the Strikers until the end of BBL|15, boosting their middle-order depth.
Leggie Cameron Boyce was rewarded with a two-year extension in February after leading the Strikers revival in the second half of last season as the leading spinner in BBL|13 with 14 wickets and an economy rate of 6.92, and his partner in crime Lloyd Pope has signed a three-year extension. The pair helped reverse Adelaide's fortunes last season, sparking a five-game win streak that took the club from the foot of the table into the finals.
Brisbane Heat
Head coach: Johan Botha
Contracted for BBL|14: Tom Alsop (England), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro (New Zealand), Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Paul Walter (England), Jack Wildermuth, Jack Wood. Signed replacement player: Daniel Drew, Tom Whitney
Ins: Callum Vidler, Tom Alsop (England), Daniel Drew, Tom Whitney
Outs: Josh Brown (Renegades), Sam Billings (Thunder)
BBL|14 Draft selections: Colin Munro (pre-signed), Paul Walter, Tom Alsop
Former South African international Johan Botha is the man appointed to lead the Heat's title defence, signing a three-year deal as head coach after Wade Seccombe didn't seek an extension to his Queensland and Brisbane Heat contracts.
Botha's first move was to secure the return of Kiwi journeyman Colin Munro for another two seasons as the club's direct overseas signing. After the losses of Josh Brown to Melbourne Renegades, who was in hot demand following his 57-ball 140 to put the Heat into the final, and Sam Billings to Sydney Thunder, re-signing Munro will help keep some stability at the top of the order for the reigning champions.
Botha takes the reins following title-winning coach Seccombe's resignation in March, with the former Queensland and Heat mentor since joining Brown at the Renegades as their T20 high performance boss.
Apart from Brown, the Heat locked away most of their BBL|13 title-winning squad prior to the end of last season, including Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Xavier Bartlett and Max Bryant who are all staying put until at least the end of BBL|15. They've also added Australia U19 World Cup winner Callum Vidler in a boost to their bowling stocks.
Aussie star Marnus Labuschagne has only ever played for the Heat and will return for a ninth season in BBL|14. Cult hero Paul Walter is also returning while fellow English Draft selection Tom Alsop brings a bit more middle-order grunt and can also keep wickets.
Hobart Hurricanes
Head coach: Jeff Vaughan
Contracted for BBL|14: Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, Peter Hatzoglou, Shai Hope (West Indies), Caleb Jewell, Chris Jordan (England), Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Waqar Salamkheil (Afghanistan), Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim, Mac Wright. Signed replacement player: Marcus Bean
Ins: Charlie Wakim, Shai Hope (West Indies), Waqar Salamkheil (Afghanistan), Jake Doran, Marcus Bean
Outs: Liam Guthrie, Sam Heazlett. Withdrawn players: Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh)
BBL|14 Draft selections: Shai Hope, Chris Jordan (pre-signed), Rishad Hossain
Another club with a stable list, the underperforming Hurricanes have secured the return of star England allrounder Chris Jordan as their direct overseas signing on a two-year deal. They've also announced the re-signings of Mac Wright and Nikhil Chaudhary, with emerging quick Iain Carlisle also earning a new two-year deal to bolster an already strong pace attack they hope can deliver that elusive first title.
Windies gun Shai Hope was the Canes' first selection on Draft night and top order consistency is something Hobart have been desperately craving in recent seasons. His arrival could allow the likes of Ben McDermott to drop down the order and have an impact in the middle or end of the innings.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain has withdrawn from BBL|14 due to his Bangladesh Premier League commitments and has been replaced by Afghan left-arm wrist spinner Waqar Salamkheil. He took 15 wickets in 11 matches for Trinbago Knight Riders this year and compliments local tweakers Paddy Dooley and Peter Hatzoglou.
Tasmanian batter Charlie Wakim has also joined the squad for next season after spending the past few summers as a local replacement player, including opening alongside Josh Brown for the Heat when they beat the Strikers in the Challenger.
Melbourne Renegades
Head coach: Cameron White
Contracted for BBL|14: Jacob Bethell (England), Josh Brown, Xavier Crone, Harry Dixon, Laurie Evans (England), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan Lyon, Fergus O'Neill, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert (New Zealand), Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Adam Zampa. Signed replacement players: Hassan Khan (USA/Pakistan), Callum Stow
Ins: Josh Brown (Heat), Gurinder Sandhu (Thunder), Tim Seifert (New Zealand), Laurie Evans (Scorchers), Jacob Bethell (England), Xavier Crone, Marcus Harris, Hassan Khan (USA/Pakistan), Callum Stow
Outs: Aaron Finch (retired), Shaun Marsh (retired), Nic Maddinson (Thunder), Akeal Hosein (Sixers), Peter Siddle (Stars), Ruwantha Kellapotha
BBL|14 Draft selections: Laurie Evans, Jacob Bethell, Tim Seifert (pre-signed)
Cameron White will lead the Renegades into a new era in BBL|14 after signing a three-year deal to replace David Saker as head coach, who was let go despite having a year to go on his contract following a disappointing campaign where the club returned to the bottom half of the table for the fourth time in five seasons.
The positive is they've secured their future with young talents Jake Fraser-McGurk and Will Sutherland signing on for another four and three years respectively, and they also won the race for the big-hitting Josh Brown, which is timely given the retirements of greats Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh at the end of last season. With the addition of experienced New Zealand 'keeper-batter Tim Seifert as their direct overseas signing on a two-year deal, and the acquisition of Laurie Evans with their platinum draft pick, the Renegades have a top order to be feared. Jacob Bethell meanwhile has a good record as a lower-order hitter too and crucially, unlike the rest of the batters, is a left hander.
They have also injected more experience into their pace attack, signing Queensland quick Gurinder Sandhu after 11 years at the Sydney Thunder, while rising star Fergus O'Neill has penned a two-year deal.
Melbourne Stars
Head coach: Peter Moores
Contracted for BBL|14: Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Tom Curran (England), Ben Duckett (England), Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Jon Merlo, Usama Mir (Pakistan), Joel Paris, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Doug Warren, Beau Webster. Signed replacement players: Joe Clarke (England), Adam Milne (New Zealand), Austin Anlezark, Blake Macdonald
Ins: Joe Clarke (Renegades), Tom Curran (Sixers), Hamish McKenzie (Scorchers), Jon Merlo, Ben Duckett (England), Doug Warren, Peter Siddle (Renegades), Adam Milne (New Zealand), Austin Anlezark, Blake Macdonald
Outs: Nick Larkin (retired), Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Corey Rocchiccioli
BBL|14 Draft selections: Ben Duckett, Tom Curran (pre-signed), Usama Mir
World Cup-bound Aussie Marcus Stoinis has re-committed to the Stars for another three seasons and he could be in line to captain the club in BBL|14 after Glenn Maxwell announced his intention to step down from the role at the end of last season.
Maxwell had captained the club since BBL|08, leading them to the final in both of his first two seasons in charge, but told teammates after their final game of BBL|13 that he wanted to focus on just playing next season.
A big scoop for the Stars saw them lure experienced English allrounder Tom Curran – the league's third most prolific overseas bowler of all-time with 51 wickets – from the Sixers as their direct overseas signing on a two-year deal. They sprang a surprise with their No.1 pick, taking England opener Ben Duckett, who last played BBL with the Heat three seasons ago.
There were positives for the Stars under new coach Peter Moores last season, winning four games on the trot after Christmas to put themselves in contention for finals. However, three losses to finish saw them slip to sixth and miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year.
Pakistan leggie Usama Mir and new recruit Hamish McKenzie bolster the spin stocks after they traded out Adam Zampa prior to last season. Leg-spinner Mir will miss the start of the season while on international duty with Pakistan in South Africa, with the Stars signing New Zealand quick Adam Milne for the first three matches.
Perth Scorchers
Head coach: Adam Voges
Contracted for BBL|14: Ashton Agar, Finn Allen (New Zealand), Mahli Beardman, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Matthew Hurst (England), Josh Inglis, Keaton Jennings (England), Matt Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Spoors, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye. Signed replacement player: Bryce Jackson
Ins: Mahli Beardman, Finn Allen (New Zealand), Matthew Hurst (England), Keaton Jennings (England), Matthew Spoors, Bryce Jackson
Outs: Hamish McKenzie (Stars), Laurie Evans (Renegades), Liam Haskett, Sam Whiteman
BBL|14 Draft selections: Finn Allen (pre-signed), Matthew Hurst, Keaton Jennings
Perth made a splash in August by recruiting big-hitting New Zealand opener Finn Allen as their direct overseas signing ahead of the September 1 draft on a two-year deal, with full availability. It came after Allen turned down a central contract with the Black Caps to pursue T20 franchise opportunities, and strengthens the one area where the Scorchers had been a little bit susceptible last summer.
It had otherwise s been a quiet off-season for the competition's most successful club who managed to lock away most of their core players before the end of the season. Local boy Nick Hobson returns for BBL|14 as he looks to build on his success as the Scorchers finisher.
Such is the quality of the players in their squad, the Scorchers experienced a salary cap squeeze on draft night, losing out on Laurie Evans as the Renegades were able to offer him a platinum contract. It also saw Perth pass in round two, before landing two value selections in wicketkeeper-bat Matthew Hurst and opening bat Keaton Jennings.
They were hit by injuries in BBL|13 and dearly missed skipper Ashton Turner, who suffered a season ending knee injury before Christmas, but expect the Scorchers to be right up there again next summer. Turner's injury replacement last summer Sam Fanning makes the leap to a full contract after impressing in limited opportunity late in the season and teenage tearaway Mahli Beardman has also been signed for the next two seasons.
Sydney Sixers
Head coach: Greg Shipperd
Contracted for BBL|14: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Jafer Chohan (England), Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Akeal Hosein (West Indies), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, James Vince (England). Signed replacement player: Lachlan Shaw
Marquee supplementary list: Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
Ins: Akeal Hosein (Renegades), Jafer Chohan (England), Ben Manenti (Strikers)
Outs: Steve O'Keefe (retired), Tom Curran (Stars)
BBL|14 Draft selections: James Vince, Akeal Hosein (pre-signed), Jafer Chohan
The Sixers are another club that have continuity with their list, and they received a huge boost for the future in August with Aussie superstar Steve Smith recommitting for another three seasons. The Australian opener will be available for at least three matches in BBL|14 following the conclusion of the Test summer on January 7.
They've also secured Sean Abbott, Todd Murphy, Ben Dwarshuis and Josh Philippe for another two seasons prior to the BBL|13 decider, as well emerging allrounder Jack Edwards for another three. In a big boost, two-time champion James Vince will return too, after the Sixers matched the Renegades' first-round bid for the classy opener.
Veteran batter Daniel Hughes turned down offers from rival teams to re-commit to a club that's "like a family" to him for another season. "We've kept the core of the same group together for a long time ... and we have two special leaders in 'Shippy' (coach Greg Shipperd) and Moises (Henriques)," said the 35-year-old, who notched his 100th BBL appearance last summer.
They'll be looking to West Indian recruit Akeal Hosein – the world's sixth-ranked men's T20I bowler – and young spinners Murphy, Joel Davies and surprise selection Jafer Chohan to continue their development in BBL|14 to help fill the void following the retirement of club legend Steve O'Keefe.
Sydney Thunder
Head coach: Trevor Bayliss
Contracted for BBL|14: Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (England), Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand), Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies), William Salzmann, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner. Signed replacement player: Blake Nikitaras
Marquee supplementary list: Pat Cummins.
Ins: Wes Agar (Strikers), Sam Billings (Heat), Nic Maddinson (Renegades), Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand), Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies), Ryan Hadley
Outs: Alex Ross (Strikers), Gurinder Sandhu (Renegades), Liam Doddrell, Blake Nikitaras
BBL|14 Draft selections: Lockie Ferguson, Sam Billings (pre-signed), Sherfane Rutherford
A huge coup for the Thunder as they lured English star Sam Billings from the Heat for the next three seasons under the league's new multi-year contracting mechanism for overseas players. He was the first men's player to be signed under the new rule and the 32-year-old will be available for all of the next three seasons, including finals. The club beat several Big Bash rivals as well as UAE and South African T20 franchises in the race for the wicketkeeper-batter's services.
The Thunder had a great night at the Draft, recruiting Kiwi quick Lockie Ferguson at the start and locking in West Indian middle order bat Sherfane Rutherford towards the end.
New general manager Trent Copeland got straight to work following the club's last-place finish in BBL|13, adding depth to the pace stocks by acquiring Wes Agar from the Strikers.
He also secured the key signature of Aussie great David Warner for his first full BBL season following his international retirement, while they secured the signatures of leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and quicks Daniel Sams and Nathan McAndrew until at least the end BBL|15 during the season.
Head coach Trevor Bayliss has accepted a one-year extension to lead the club in BBL|14 and Copeland declared he expected the experienced mentor to take "the team on an upward trajectory this season", and they've locked in rising talent and recent U19 World Cup winner Sam Konstas on a two-year deal.
Nic Maddinson was ruled out - effectively for the entire tournament - on the eve of the season after a recent "significant" finger injury that required surgery, and was replaced in the squad by Blake Nikitaras.