Big Bash League

[Haarithan]

Looks like I'm switching over from supporting one of the Victorian outfit to Perth then.

 

[sifter132]

This article has a summary of the signings thus far:
Australian news: Paul Collingwood joins Perth Scorchers, Shaun Tait to Melbourne Renegades | Australia Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo

See how batsmen Perth have got? Collingwood and Gibbs to go with North, Katich, Pomersbach, the Marsh brothers and Mike Hussey too (although Huss will barely ever don the colours I'd imagine). Given that stable, the decision to sign 2 retired batsmen as their international players strikes me as kinda silly...

 

[Chewie]

It's probably all they could afford really

 

[angryangy]

Yeah well that's just it. They buff their squad with a couple of reasonable value players who are going to be available. I wouldn't have picked Gibbs because I've never seen him play a good t20 innings, but eh well better than Saj. If all else fails, two competent substitute fielders.

On the other hand, are Thunder even going to get 11 first class players? Given that they've probably blown half their budget on their first two, the rest are going to be from the district u19s or something.

 

[Covvy]

Wow, Tassie (or Hobart as I should say ) have been weakened so far. All thats happened so far is that we've lost George and Faulkner.

 

[aussie1st]

Brenton McDonald. It's not a typo. Andrew's brother. A few folks reckon he'd be the best leggie in the state, so it could be a very cost-effective signing.

Hopefully he's got the accuracy of his brother.

 

[Num]

Melbourne Stars sign Cameron White, David Hussey, George Bailey, Adam Voges and Chris Simpson. Sign a couple of quality international bowlers/bowling all-rounders and the Stars look like they will be one of the front-runners in the BBL, particularly given the wealth of T20 experience shared between White/Hussey/Voges as well as the tactical nous of that group as a whole.

 

[sifter132]

Sounds like most of the SA boys are going to play for Adelaide:

Callum Ferguson, Aiden Blizzard, Kane Richardson, Tom Cooper, Aaron O'Brien, Michael Klinger and Nathan Lyon have joined the Strikers, who had already secured Cameron Borgas and Daniel Harris

Australian news: Adam Voges, Chris Simpson, Cameron White and David Hussey sign with Melbourne Stars | Australia Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo

Except for Dan Christain, who's playing for Brisbane.

And Ricky Ponting's gonna play for Hobart - he's a patriotic fella

 

[angryangy]

And there it is; Thunder's 4th signing has never played a domestic Twenty20.

 

[Num]

The Melbourne Renegades sign both Afridi and Razzaq as their two overseas players, great choices, should allow for flexibility in terms of the make-up of the bowling attack depending upon the pitch and the opposition.

Perth Scorchers pick up Khawaja to bolster an already batsman-heavy squad; not an ideal choice in my opinion given the Scorchers have signed Gibbs and Collingwood as international batsmen and they already have a solid core of domestic T20 batsmen with Hussey, Katich, the Marsh brothers, North, Pomersbach and Ronchi.

Hobart Hurricances sign Shah, whilst Hauritz returns to Queensland by signing with the Brisbane Heat.

 

[angryangy]

Quite a few prominent players left. I figure most of the Vics will sign with Stars. McKay has let the cat out of the bag, as did Bails. Half the sides haven't picked their keepers yet.

 

[cricketmad09]

Renegades team is looking pretty strong.

Their best XI at the moment would be

Finch
McDonald
Hodge
Hill/Reardon
Maxwell
Carters
Afridi
Razzaq
Harwood
Tait
Nannes

World class bowling line up and some big hitters. Probably just need to strengthen their batting a touch. Want a couple of reasonable players on the sidelines incase Hill/Reardon/Maxwell aren't performing.

Perth Scorchers aren't looking too bad. Their best XI atm would probably be

Shaun Marsh
Katich
North
Pomersbach
Hussey
Collingwood
Ronchi
Coulter-Nile
Rimmington
Cameron
Beer

Plenty of pressure for selection with Gibbs, Mitch Marsh, Beaton and Khawaja on the sidelines. Realistically you could have any of those 4 in the team and you'd still be happy with the batting line up.

On the flip side Adelaide and Hobart aren't looking too flash. Nor do the Sydney Sixers and I think Sydney Thunder have spent all their money on Gayle and Warner so now they're struggling to attract any other players.

 

[Fenil]

Hope Katich will show that the selectors made a mistake by not offering him the contract.

 

[sifter132]

Perth Scorchers pick up Khawaja to bolster an already batsman-heavy squad; not an ideal choice in my opinion given the Scorchers have signed Gibbs and Collingwood as international batsmen and they already have a solid core of domestic T20 batsmen with Hussey, Katich, the Marsh brothers, North, Pomersbach and Ronchi.

And now...NOT:
ABC Sport - Khawaja burns Scorchers in BBL

Honestly, it was a dumb move anyway. Why would Usman move across the country to play for a Perth squad packed with batsmen, when there are 2 Sydney teams to choose from?

 

[JonDogg]

It's good to see most of the Adelaide team being the same. Except for Dan Cristian and Tait. These two are guys that make me go and watch the games, especially Tait I love watching. But I suppose Tait isn't really any big loss because of his inaccuracy and bad economy. He's just good to watch though. I would be less inclined to go and watch now.

Adelaide need some big name bowlers now. There is Nathan Lyon plucked out of grade cricket to be the leading wicket taker last year but no big name fast bowlers. Maybe they will pluck another talent out of grade cricket.