Updated Big Bash squads for BBL|08

Just 19 days remain until the first ball is bowled in BBL|08.

By this stage most lists are settled as clubs look to hone in on a winning combination on-field.

However it’s not too late for a curveball to be thrown, as Friday November 30 marks the beginning of the KFC Big Bash League’s second off-season trade period.

From 9am AEST, clubs will have until 2pm on Thursday December 6 to swap players and tinker with their rosters.

Don’t expect too much frantic movement though, as there have only been three player-for-player trades completed in the short history of the league. The most recent one in BBL|07 saw the Melbourne Renegades send wicketkeeper Matthew Wade to the Hobart Hurricanes, in exchange for young allrounder Beau Webster.

As we enter the trade period, these are the BBL rosters as they currently stand.

Adelaide Strikers

Current squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Michael Cormack, David Grant, Travis Head, Colin Ingram (SA), Rashid Khan (AFG), Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O'Connor, Peter Siddle, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Nick Winter.

In: Matt Short (Renegades), Cameron Valente (Heat).

Out: Jono Dean (unsigned), Daniel Drew (unsigned).

Roster spots to fill: none

Internationals signed: two

The reigning champions are fully signed, with minimal changes to their successful BBL|07 line-up. 

The squad was rounded out with perhaps the biggest signature of all, as captain Travis Head committed for not only the upcoming season, but another three to follow.

Head’s announcement was joined by the signing of Cameron Valente, who alongside Matt Short are the only new faces in blue this year.

Brisbane Heat

Current squad: Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (NZ), James Pattinson, James Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG), Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson.

In: Matt Kuhnemann, James Pattinson (Renegades), Jack Prestwidge, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan).

Out: Shadab Khan (Pakistan), Cameron Valente (Strikers).

Unsigned from BBL|07: Jason Floros, Cameron Gannon.

Roster spots to fill: none

Internationals signed: two

It’s fitting that the Brisbane Heat’s latest signing calls the Gold Coast home. 

On the same day the club launched their two home games at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Matt Kuhnemann was announced as the Heat’s 18th and final rostered player. 

It means Jason Floros and Cameron Gannon remain unsigned, while Cameron Valente has returned to South Australia to play with the Strikers. 

Hobart Hurricanes

Current squad: Jofra Archer (ENG), George Bailey, Johan Botha, Jake Doran, James Faulkner, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, Tymal Mills (ENG), David Moody, Tim Paine, Tom Rogers, Clive Rose, D'Arcy Short, Aaron Summers, Matthew Wade.

In: Jake Doran, James Faulkner (Stars), Caleb Jewell.

Out: Cameron Boyce (Renegades), Dan Christian (Renegades), Sam Rainbird (Thunder).

Unsigned from BBL|07: Hamish Kingston, Nathan Reardon, Jake Reed.

Roster spots to fill: one

Internationals signed: two

The Hurricanes are one of a few teams waiting in the shadows to pounce on a last-minute signing. 

Recent movement has revolved around a pair of promising quicks. Speedster Aaron Summers has been re-signed, while Sam Rainbird has departed to join the Sydney Thunder. 

Melbourne Renegades

Current squad: Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi (AFG), Kane Richardson, Usman Khan Shinwari (PAK), Will Sutherland, Chris Tremain, Beau Webster, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth, Harry Gurney (ENG, international replacement)

In: Cameron Boyce (Hurricanes), Dan Christian (Hurricanes), Zak Evans, Harry Gurney (England), Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland (rookie), Usman Khan Shinwari (Pakistan).

Out: Dwayne Bravo (Stars), Brad Hodge (retired), Brad Hogg (unsigned), James Pattinson (Heat), Matt Short (Strikers), Guy Walker (AFL).

Roster spots to fill: none

Internationals signed: two, plus one replacement

DJ Bravo has left the building. The writing was on the wall for the West Indian star to depart the Renegades, and it became official earlier this month. 

While the deflection to the Stars will hurt the Melbourne team, the Renegades quickly moved to sign a new pair of international players. Pakistan’s Usman Khan Shinwari recently played against Australia in T20I’s in the UAE, while Englishman Harry Gurney is a journeyman with a wealth of short-form experience. 

Melbourne Stars

Current squad: Michael Beer, Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Dwayne Bravo (WI), Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane (NEP), Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa, Matt Parkinson (ENG, international replacement)

In: Jackson Bird (Sixers), Dwayne Bravo (West Indies), Travis Dean (Renegades replacement), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Nic Maddinson (Sixers), Jonathan Merlo.

Out: James Faulkner (Hurricanes), Sam Harper (unsigned), John Hastings (Sixers), Kevin Pietersen (retired), Rob Quiney (retired), Luke Wright.

Roster spots to fill: none

Internationals signed: two, plus one replacement

Coach Stephen Fleming and the Melbourne Stars have been busy in recent weeks. 

A new marquee man in Dwyane Bravo is a massive inclusion, however a few other signings are also intriguing. Just as Bravo stated a desire to return to the MCG as a reason behind his decision, foundation player Jackson Bird also returns to his original team.

Jonathon Merlo signed his first Big Bash contract in November, joining Evan Gulbis and Liam Bowe to conclude a trio of commitments. 

After a slow start, the Stars are locked in and ready to rebound. 

Perth Scorchers

Current squad: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Michael Klinger, Mitchell Marsh (c), Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Usman Qadir (Pakistan), Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman, David Willey (England).

In: Matthew Kelly

Out: Mitchell Johnson (retired), Adam Voges (retired/coach).

Roster spots to fill: none

Internationals signed: two

The Scorchers have been operating as we’re used to seeing them operate. The squad was locked in early, with little fuss and plenty of local talent. 

New coach Adam Voges recently forecast the likely immediate return of Cameron Bancroft from his Cricket Australia-enforced suspension. The opening batsman will be a vital inclusion should he be fit to play when the Scorchers take on the Hobart Hurricanes on December 30. 

Sydney Sixers

Current squad: Sean Abbott, Justin Avendano, Ben Dwarshuis, Joe Denly (England), Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Daniel Fallins, John Hastings*, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Peter Nevill, Stephen O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Henry Thornton.

In: Justin Avendano, Jack Edwards (rookie), Daniel Fallins, John Hastings* (Stars), Josh Philippe (Scorchers replacement), Lloyd Pope.

Out: Jackson Bird (Stars), Johan Botha (Hurricanes), Doug Bollinger (retired), Nic Maddinson (Stars).

Unsigned from BBL|07: Sam Billings (England), Jason Roy (England), Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc.

Roster spots to fill: two

Internationals signed: one

Philippe, Pope, Edwards, Fallins and Avendano. The Sydney Sixers’ list of recent signings could very well read like an Australian starting XI in five years time. 

Make no mistake, this team is young. But if signings were measured on potential, Sixers coach Gregg Shipperd would be a happy man. 

An asterisk unfortunately remains next to the name of John Hastings. The veteran allrounder recently confirmed his retirement from all forms of cricket after a health scare which emerged as he prepared for his first season in magenta. This will not be the case, with news unclear on whether a replacement will soon become available.

Sydney Thunder

Current squad: Fawad Ahmed, Jos Buttler (ENG), Pat Cummins, Callum Ferguson, Ryan Gibson, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Nathan McAndrew, Arjun Nair, Kurtis Patterson, Sam Rainbird, Joe Root (ENG), Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Shane Watson, Anton Devcich (NZ, international replacement), Chris Jordan (ENG, international replacement).

In: Joe Root (ENG), Sam Rainbird (Hurricanes), Daniel Sams (Sixers), Jason Sangha.

Out: Aiden Blizzard (retired), Andrew Fekete, Mitch McClenaghan, Clint McKay (retired), Ben Rohrer (retired).

Roster spots to fill: none

Internationals signed: two, plus two replacements

Inevitably, England stars Joe Root and Jos Buttler will depart the Sydney Thunder for international duties. When they do, the team out west in Sydney have ensured they’ve got adequate replacements confirmed. 

The Thunder have recently secured the services of Chris Jordan and Anton Devcich as international replacement players, while also bolstering their squad with local talent. Liam Hatcher, Jason Sangha, Arjun Nair and Sam Rainbird will all call Spotless Stadium home in BBL|08.