Cricket

The Big Bash League (BBL) is set to return for its 2024-25 season, with the schedule released on Friday. The season will commence on December 15 with the Perth Scorchers hosting the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium. The final will be played on January 27, which is a public holiday in Australia.BBL officials are hopeful that Australia's Test players will be able to feature in the latter stages of the regular season in January. However, availability will depend on workloads after the five-Test series against India. Players involved in the subsequent two-Test tour of Sri Lanka will not be available for the BBL finals, which run from January 21-27.The BBL has introduced a new mechanism that allows clubs to sign Australia-contracted players outside of their 18-player squad. This option was taken up by Pat Cummins (Sydney Thunder) and Mitchell Starc (Sydney Sixers) last season, although neither player featured for their clubs.Last season, several Australian Test players made brief appearances in the BBL between the Pakistan and West Indies series. Steven Smith played twice for Sydney Sixers, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne twice for Brisbane Heat, and Alex Carey once for Adelaide Strikers.The overseas player draft is expected to take place in early September, with clubs now able to sign players before the draft on a multi-year deal.The Perth Scorchers will host the opening match of the season against the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium. The Adelaide Strikers will host their traditional fixture at Adelaide Oval on New Year's Eve against the Scorchers, while the Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers will face off on New Year's Day at Blundstone Arena.One of the major controversies last season was the abandoned game in Geelong between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers due to a damp pitch. However, GMHBA Stadium has been given another chance and will host the Renegades' first home game against the Hurricanes on December 19.

Brisbane Heat have bolstered their batting lineup for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) seasons by re-signing former New Zealand international Colin Munro for two more years. Munro, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, has been a prolific run-scorer in T20 cricket, amassing over 10,000 runs in 428 matches.Munro's signing is a significant boost for the Heat, who are aiming to defend their BBL title. The 37-year-old has played a key role in the Heat's recent success, scoring over 500 runs in the past two seasons. He has also been a valuable mentor for the team's younger players.Munro's re-signing is part of a new BBL rule that allows each club to sign one international player on a multi-year deal ahead of the overseas player draft. The Heat have taken advantage of this rule to secure the services of a proven match-winner.Munro will join a strong Heat batting lineup that includes Australian internationals Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw. The team also has a new coach for the upcoming season, with Johan Botha replacing Wade Seccombe.Munro is excited to be part of the Heat's title defense and believes the team has the potential to achieve great things. "It's a strong squad again and I'm looking forward to being part of what we can build together," he said. "There are always opportunities to get better and as a group, we should be excited about the new goals we will pursue this summer."The Heat will be hoping that Munro can continue his impressive form in the BBL and help them to another championship.

WBBL and BBL Squad Building: Pre-Draft Overseas Signings and Player MovementAhead of the 2024-25 WBBL and BBL seasons, teams are actively building their squads through player movement and pre-draft overseas signings. In both competitions, teams are permitted to sign one overseas player before the drafts, which are scheduled for early September.WBBLWBBL squads consist of 15 players. The Adelaide Strikers have retained the core of their squad, including Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt, and Amanda-Jade Wellington. They have also added Jemma Barsby and Darcie Brown. The Brisbane Heat have signed Nadine de Klerk and Laura Harris, while the Hobart Hurricanes have brought in Lauren Smith from the Thunder. The Melbourne Renegades have added Josie Dooley and Ella Hayward, while the Melbourne Stars have signed Sophie Day and Nicole Faltum. The Perth Scorchers have bolstered their squad with Chloe Ainsworth and Stella Campbell, and the Sydney Sixers have acquired Amelia Kerr from the Heat.BBLBBL squads can have up to 19 players. The Adelaide Strikers have retained key players such as D'Arcy Short, Matt Short, and Jake Weatherald. They have also signed Jordan Buckingham from the Thunder. The Brisbane Heat have added Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson, while the Hobart Hurricanes have brought in Charlie Wakim. The Melbourne Renegades have signed Josh Brown from the Heat, while the Melbourne Stars have signed Tom Curran from the Sixers. The Perth Scorchers have retained their core group, including Mitchell Marsh and Jhye Richardson. The Sydney Sixers have added Wes Agar and Sam Billings from the Thunder, while the Sydney Thunder have signed Cameron Bancroft and Sam Billings.Key Player Movements* Wes Agar (Thunder to Sixers)* Sam Billings (Thunder to Sixers)* Alex Ross (Strikers to Thunder)* Josh Brown (Heat to Renegades)* Tom Curran (Sixers to Stars)* Lauren Smith (Hurricanes to Thunder)* Amelia Kerr (Heat to Sixers)Overseas Signings* Tom Curran (Stars)* Charlie Wakim (Hurricanes)

Tom Curran, the dynamic English all-rounder, has inked a two-year deal with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL). This commitment ensures his presence for the entire duration of the tournament, marking a significant acquisition for the Stars.Curran's previous BBL experience includes four seasons with the Sydney Sixers. However, his 2023-24 campaign was marred by controversy when he received a four-match suspension for intimidating an umpire. A subsequent knee injury prematurely ended his tournament.Despite these setbacks, Curran's impressive BBL record remains intact. In 36 matches, he has claimed 51 wickets at an exceptional average of 19.76 and an economical rate of 8.25. His batting prowess is equally noteworthy, with 359 runs scored at a blistering strike rate of 143.60.Curran's signing falls under the BBL's new multi-year contract option, which allows clubs to secure one overseas player before the draft. Players joining under this agreement are obligated to remain for the entire tournament, including finals, from the 2025-26 season onwards. Curran, however, will adhere to this requirement for both years of his contract.Sam Billings holds the distinction of being the first player to sign a multi-year deal in the BBL, having joined the Sydney Thunder. Curran expressed his excitement about joining the Stars, particularly the prospect of playing at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He emphasized his desire to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the team's success.In an interview with the Stars, Curran revealed that Glenn Maxwell played a pivotal role in his decision to join the club. The pair had previously shared a dressing room at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Curran also praised the coaching expertise of Peter Moores, who will lead the Stars in the upcoming season.With Maxwell stepping down as captain, the Stars are in search of a new leader. Marcus Stoinis has expressed his interest in the role. The Stars hold the first pick in the overseas draft, scheduled for early September, which will further bolster their squad.

Cameron White, the former Australian white-ball captain, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. White has signed a three-year deal to replace David Saker, who departed in May after a disappointing seventh-place finish in his third season at the helm.White, 40, is taking on his first head-coaching role but has gained valuable experience as an assistant coach with the Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers. He inherits a Renegades roster that boasts several talented players, including Jake Fraser-McGurk, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Brown."I've got so many great memories here as a player and achieving success, so to be back in Renegades colours several years later is a thrill," White said. "The idea of working with this playing group - some really exciting players there, both young and experienced - is really exciting. I'm really looking forward to ripping in and starting my journey as coach."As a player, White represented Australia 142 times across all three formats. He was a key member of the white-ball sides, captaining the T20I team six times and the ODI team once. White was also part of the Australian team that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009.Domestically, White played a pivotal role in the Renegades' only BBL championship triumph in 2019. He is also Victoria's longest-serving Sheffield Shield captain, amassing over 7000 first-class runs during his illustrious career.The Renegades have been allocated pick two in the BBL overseas draft order, which was announced on Thursday. White's appointment is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the team as they aim to improve their performance and challenge for the title in the upcoming season.

Sydney Thunder's general manager, Trent Copeland, is optimistic about David Warner's return for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. Warner, who has been a key figure for the Thunder in the past, has expressed his desire to play a full campaign with the club.Warner's availability has been limited in recent seasons due to his international commitments. However, with his Test career now behind him, he could be more available for the BBL. Copeland is eager to capitalize on this opportunity and believes Warner's presence would greatly benefit the team."He's a champion of the club, a long-standing member, and hasn't really had the opportunities in his career to just live and breathe that for a full summer," Copeland said. "So I'm really keen to make that happen."Warner has other commitments, including a deal with the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, but Copeland is confident that the Thunder can accommodate his schedule. "Let's make sure we make that happen and he can be a Thunder man for life," Copeland said.Warner himself has expressed his enthusiasm for playing in the BBL next season. "I definitely am keen to pursue playing Big Bash next year," he said. "There's going to be conversations behind the scenes to allow me to do that."Copeland has made significant changes to the Thunder's roster since taking over as GM. Wes Agar and Sam Billings have been brought in, and the team has the third pick in the upcoming overseas draft. Copeland is confident that the Thunder can make a strong run in the upcoming season with Warner's potential return and the new additions to the team.

England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings has become the first player to sign a multi-year contract in the Big Bash League (BBL), committing to the Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons. This move is a significant step for the BBL, as it aims to retain top players amidst competition from rival T20 leagues.Billings, who previously played for the Thunder in 2020-21 and 2021-22, has been a key player for England in recent years. He brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Thunder, who are looking to rebuild after a disappointing season last year.Under the new multi-year contract option, players are required to commit to the entire BBL season, including the finals, from the 2025-26 season onwards. Billings has gone a step further and will be available throughout next season's edition as well."I love Sydney and in particular Western Sydney and the chance to come back to a family club that is so connected to their members and fans and the people from the area was too good an opportunity to ignore," Billings said.The BBL faces significant competition from the SA20 and ILT20 leagues, which overlap with its schedule. The new multi-year contract option is an attempt to secure players for the duration of the tournament by offering them security."The BBL is in such a great place these days, it's well run, well supported and definitely the best tournament in the world staged at that time of the year. That's why I have committed long term and to be here right until the end of the tournament each year," Billings added.The Thunder are excited to have Billings on board, as they look to improve on their performance last season."The beauty of bringing a player the calibre of Sam Billings to the club is not just the elite skillset he brings to every facet of the game but also his leadership on and off the field," said Thunder general manager Trent Copeland.Billings is the second Thunder signing confirmed in two days, following the acquisition of highly-rated young batter Sam Konstas. The Thunder are building a strong squad under new coach Trevor Bayliss, who recently signed a one-year extension.

Trevor Bayliss, the former England coach who guided the team to the 2019 ODI World Cup triumph, has been handed a one-year contract extension by Sydney Thunder. The decision comes despite the club's disappointing performance last season, where they finished last in the BBL standings with only one win.Bayliss, who has been at the helm of Thunder for the past three seasons, expressed his determination to turn things around. "I've been here three years and there is probably a little bit of unfinished business," he said. "We've been working towards something over the last few years. With that and some of the recruitment we've done this year, we should be in a good position to win a number of games. Our ambition should be to win the tournament."Thunder have also secured a deal to play four games at Sydney Showground next summer, an increase from the three they played last season. This move is part of the club's commitment to remain in western Sydney, despite criticism of the Showground wicket from former players like Ricky Ponting."I'm a western Sydney guy, I'm still involved with the Penrith club out here in the west of Sydney, and there's a lot of interest in Sydney Thunder," Bayliss said. "There are always people going to the games from out this way and asking questions about the club. Through Thunder being part of western Sydney and closer to where they live, rather than having to go to the SCG they can get along to a Thunder match and watch their own team play high-class cricket."Thunder have already made a significant player signing ahead of next season, acquiring Wes Agar from Adelaide Strikers in a trade deal. The club's fans will also be eagerly awaiting news on the future of David Warner, whose contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Former South African all-rounder Johan Botha has been appointed as the new head coach of the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls for the next three years. Botha, 42, was selected after a thorough recruitment process that included Ashley Noffke and Adam Hollioake.Botha, who became an Australian citizen in 2012, has extensive playing and coaching experience. He represented South Africa in 5 Tests, 78 ODIs, and 40 T20Is, captaining the team in 21 white-ball matches. He also captained South Australia in the Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup for two years.In the BBL, Botha played 71 matches for the Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Sixers, and Hobart Hurricanes. He retired in 2019 but returned as a fill-in during the COVID-19 pandemic.Botha's coaching experience includes stints with Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, and Islamabad United in the PSL, Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL, Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, and Seattle Orcas in the MLC. He was also an assistant coach with the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL.Queensland Cricket head of elite cricket Joe Dawes believes Botha's "harder edge" will benefit the Bulls and Heat. Botha expressed excitement about the opportunity, saying, "There is a lot to look forward to for Queensland Cricket."Botha's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a focus on competitiveness to the Queensland and Heat programs. His extensive experience and proven leadership skills will be valuable assets as the teams aim for success in the upcoming seasons.