Discussion [KFC BBL08] Big Bash League Fantasy Discussion - Starts 19th Dec 2018

Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#1
CA confirms Gold Coast games and Christmas Eve clash as part of 59-game BBL|08 season

The biggest season of the KFC Big Bash League will feature matches on the Gold Coast, a game on Christmas Eve and a home-and-away season which sees each club play 14 matches before finals.

Cricket Australia today confirmed the full schedule for next season's BBL, which will see each side play each twice for a total of 59 matches between the tournament opener on December 19, 2018 and the final on February 17, 2019.

VIEW THE FULL FIXTURE HERE

A month after Gold Coast hosts its first international with a T20 between Australia and South Africa, Metricon Stadium will hold the first of its three BBL|08 matches.
Brisbane Heat face off against the Hobart Hurricanes on December 22 and the Sydney Sixers on January 1, before the Melbourne Stars play a home game on the Gold Coast against Sydney Thunder on January 5.

Every match of the BBL season will be shown live on subscription television provider Fox Sports, while free-to-air network Channel Seven will show 43 of those games. Fans not near a television set will be able to tune into Macquarie and SEN1116, and Cricket Australia digital channels, for radio broadcasts.

The move to a full home-and-away season ensures a more equitable fixture, with Big Bash Leagues head Kim McConnie explaining there will be more games at family-friendly times.

"The objective of moving the BBL to a full home and away fixture is consistent with Cricket Australia’s strategy of growing the Big Bash and becoming number one for fans across Australia," said McConnie. "With more games, in more locations, we believe this is going to be one of the most exciting, action-packed BBL seasons to-date.
"This summer, there will be 56 regular season matches, up from 40 last season, meaning each of the eight teams will play each other twice in addition to the two semi-finals and the final.

"The season will extend past school holidays, so as the competition moves into February, there will be more family-friendly timeslots on weekends to help drive participation."

For the first time, a BBL match will be staged simultaneously with a home Test.

As day four of Australia's day-night Test against Sri Lanka unfolds at the Gabba, the Melbourne Stars will face Brisbane Heat at the MCG. Intriguingly, that game will be held at the same time as the men’s final of the Australian Open, only a short walk away at Rod Laver Arena.

This summer's Big Bash schedule also sees the competition run further into February than it has before.

The first 36 days of the tournament will see 42 matches played with seven double-headers (two matches in one day) and even a triple-header on January 13 with Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers all hosting games.

The frequency of matches then eases in late January, with 18 games to be played on the final 24 days of competition.

As reported yesterday, BBL matches will be played on Christmas Eve, with the Hurricanes to host the Stars at Blundstone Arena and the Thunder to host the Sixers at Spotless Stadium. Despite some speculation, there will not be a game held on Christmas Day.

There will be no shortage of cricket over the holiday period however, with the action resuming on Boxing Day as the Scorchers' women's and men's Big Bash teams play matches in the evening. Add the MCG Test into the equation and it equals potentially 15 hours of cricket to feast on for viewers recovering from the season's festivities.
The BBL will also return to Alice Springs and Launceston after games were held there for the first time last summer.

The Adelaide Strikers will host the Scorchers at Traeger Park in the Northern Territory’s desert outpost, while the Hurricanes will play two games at UTAS Stadium in Tasmania's north.

The knockout finals system of 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 semi-finals before the final remains in place.
"The new landmark broadcast partnership we have with Fox Sports and Seven West Media will enable us to broadcast more BBL matches than ever before," McConnie continued.
"Fox Sports will broadcast all 59 matches, including 16 matches exclusively, while Seven will broadcast 43 matches across the season."
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#2
Heavy international schedule complicates attempts of BBL clubs to sign overseas stars

The minefield BBL clubs face to secure international talent this summer as the competition moves to a full 59-game home-and-away season has been highlighted by the surprise ODI recall of West Indian allrounder Andre Russell after an absence of nearly three years.

The upside for the eight Big Bash clubs this season is they can expect to have Australian limited-overs stars available for more of the tournament than in previous years given the summer schedule is front-loaded with white-ball fixtures against South Africa, with only three ODIs against India condensed into a week between January 12-18.

But of the world's top 10 ranked T20 sides, only Afghanistan are not involved in international fixtures for some part of the BBL, which runs from December 19 to February 17.

Russell, one of the most in-demand T20 players around the globe and a BBL title-winner with the Sydney Thunder, is understood to have been courted by several clubs but is yet to strike a deal.

The 30-year-old Jamaican has played just one ODI since the 2015 World Cup, but this week was named to return for a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, starting next week in Guyana.

The Windies are scheduled to tour Bangladesh for two Tests, three ODIs and a T20 between December 3 and January 4 this summer, according to the ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP), before they return home to host England in for three Tests, five ODIs and three T20s.
The schedules for both tours have not yet been confirmed, but it's understood the England tour will start with Tests in January, which could open the door for Russell and other West Indies white-ball stars to be available for a large chunk of BBL|08.

"(It's) great to have Dre Russ back," West Indies coach Stuart Law said. "His explosive power and energy will breathe life into an already motivated squad."

West Indies have dropped former Sixers and Thunder allrounder Carlos Brathwaite from their ODI side and while the hero of the 2016 World T20 final will seek to win his spot back, he could find himself available for more Big Bash cricket.

The availability of Afghanistan's stars for the entire tournament is good news for the Adelaide Strikers, with Afghan spin whiz and the world's No.1 ranked T20 bowler Rashid Khan set to be available for its duration.

It could also see the return of allrounder Mohammad Nabi, who played seven games for the Melbourne Renegades last summer before international duty called, while big-hitting wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad has all the hallmarks of a BBL cult hero in the making.

The Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes, with seam-bowling pair Jofra Archer and Tymal Mills locked in, are the only two clubs to so far to confirm two international signings, while the Brisbane Heat will again boast Brendon McCullum on their list.

The Thunder, Sixers, Scorchers, Renegades and Stars are yet to announce any overseas signings.

The Heat had been expecting to have Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan on board for BBL|08, but have parted ways with the rising talent due to his increased playing commitments with the national team. Pakistan will be in South Africa this summer for a tour that runs from December 26 to February 6, covering most of the BBL season, featuring three Tests, five ODIs and three T20s.

The Sydney Thunder are reportedly set to lure England star Jos Buttler and national Test captain Joe Root, although that pair would likely only be available until early January before national duty calls in the Caribbean.

Other rumours have put the Melbourne Stars in the frame for England leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who has shunned red-ball cricket to focus on limited-overs formats, meaning he could be available for much of BBL|08.

The Stars have also been strongly linked with exiled Windies star Dwayne Bravo, who has been touted to make a cross-town move from the Melbourne Renegades.

The BBL|08 fixture was announced today, and will see the season stretch into February with the final to be played on February 17 with a Sunday afternoon timeslot.

It will also see the BBL clash with Test cricket for the first time, with Australia's day-night Test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba to clash with a Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat match at the MCG on January 27 that begins at 7.40pm.

Confirmed international signings for BBL|08
Adelaide Strikers:
Colin Ingram (SA), Rashid Khan (Afg)
Brisbane Heat: Brendon McCullum (NZ)
Hobart Hurricanes: Jofra Archer (WI/England), Tymal Mills (England)
Melbourne Renegades: None
Melbourne Stars: None
Perth Scorchers: None
Sydney Sixers: None
Sydney Thunder: None
International cricket during BBL|08
(according to the ICC's FTP)
  • Aus v Ind - 3 ODIs, 4 Tests, 3 T20s, Nov 21 – Jan 18
  • Bang v WI - 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 1 T20, Dec 3 – Jan 4
  • NZ v SL - 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 1 T20, Dec 3-28
  • SA v Pak - 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 3 T20s, Dec 26 – Feb 6
  • Bang v Zim - 3 Tests 3 ODIs, Jan 7 – Feb 9
  • WI v England - 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 3 T20s, Jan 7 – Mar 22
  • NZ v India - 5 ODIs, 3 T20s, Jan 14 – Feb 8
  • Aus v SL - 2 Tests, Jan 24 – Feb 5
  • SA v SL - 5 ODIs, 2 Tests, 3 T20s, Feb 13 – Mar 25
 

IDIG

Leadership Group
Joined
8 Mar 2012
Messages
35,281
Likes
20,222
AFL Club
Essendon
#3
Nice one Herbie. Seeing this is such a popular comp on here, I have moved this thread to the main forum.
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#4
Nice one Herbie. Seeing this is such a popular comp on here, I have moved this thread to the main forum.
Cheers mate, was hoping I wasn't breaking any site rules by starting a new thread
 
Joined
16 Dec 2013
Messages
2,334
Likes
2,979
AFL Club
Essendon
#6
Very excited for this! In years past I've always missed a few lockouts here and there so I didn't join any SCS leagues as to not bring the league down. But whaddaya know, I managed to keep on top of it all for the first time last season and came 41st! And that was with a lot of captain loophole stuffups and poor selections (going Ingram over Weatherald in the final will haunt me for a while). Don't worry, I'll certainly be joining an SCS league this time around!
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#7
The following Australian matches will clash with the Big Bash

3rd Test v India , Dec 26-30
4th Test v India , Jan 3-7

ODI's v India , Jan 12 , 15 & 18

1st Test v Sri Lanka , Jan 24-28
2nd Test v Sri Lanka , Feb 1-5
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#8
With the success of Rashid Khan and Nabi last season , I hope a side signs Mujeeb Ur Rahman this season and Lamichhane from Nepal.

Be interesting if Narine returns along with the band of Windies in Badree , Bravo , Pollard etc

And surely the Stars have to sign ABD , surely.
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#10
just read on Fox Sports site that Bravi and Adil Rashid are playing for the Stars.

Heat chasing More Morkel.

Mitchell Johnson has retired as the new season is too long.

And Lynnsanity will be playing for Queensland in the domestic one day comp for the first time since 2015.
 
Joined
9 Mar 2012
Messages
10,737
Likes
15,880
AFL Club
Adelaide
#12
Thanks for the writeup Herbie, Rashid Khan and Jofra look like first picked, MCullum probably would be good to pick up for round four after the Heat's couple of byes.
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#13
Thanks for the writeup Herbie, Rashid Khan and Jofra look like first picked, MCullum probably would be good to pick up for round four after the Heat's couple of byes.
No worries mate , will try and post any news about players I can.

Think the CPL is about to start soon ,Cutting and Lynn are playing along with Smith and Warner.

Spot on about Rashid and Archer , not sure about McCullum been out of the game awhile now so not sure if his intensity and hunger is like it used to be , have to be careful with these types that we don't pick them on reputation alone .

only 4.5 months to go.
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#15
Behrendorff , Coulter-Nile & Pattinson should be reasonably priced if they can get themselves fit and stay on the park.
 
Joined
9 Mar 2012
Messages
10,737
Likes
15,880
AFL Club
Adelaide
#16
Behrendorff , Coulter-Nile & Pattinson should be reasonably priced if they can get themselves fit and stay on the park.
Who does Pattinson play for mate? He’s a cracking fast bowler if I recall correctly, definitely worth a look. Also we up for some Watto Lotto again? He was pretty good last year for a fully retired player, I believe he usually starts off playing for his grade club in the preseason, will be interesting to see how he goes.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#17
Who does Pattinson play for mate? He’s a cracking fast bowler if I recall correctly, definitely worth a look. Also we up for some Watto Lotto again? He was pretty good last year for a fully retired player, I believe he usually starts off playing for his grade club in the preseason, will be interesting to see how he goes. Sydney Thunder have a good run too with no bye and an early DGR.
Pattinson has signed with the Heat for the Big Bash so probably still with Victoria for the Shield and 1 day stuff , returned home early from his County contract so not sure how his recovery is going though (need Goodie's Guns insight)

Watto had a very good IPL , can his body last 14 games ?

Still a gun at T20 level.
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
46,336
Likes
103,353
AFL Club
Collingwood
#18
Dink , Finch , Henriques all should be under $ 50 k so may represent value to start
 
Joined
16 Dec 2013
Messages
2,334
Likes
2,979
AFL Club
Essendon
#20
I'm hearing some murmurs that the Supercoach version will be returning this season!
 
Top