THE 2024/25 Big Bash League (BBL) season is right around the corner, kicking off with a clash between the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars on December 15. Another bumper schedule plays host to 40 matches followed by a finals series which will see the BBL|14 title awarded on January 27.

With plenty of water passing under the bridge since BBL|13, including a draft and signing period, we get you back up to speed with all the ins and outs before the new season. Next to feature in our preview series are the Strikers who will look to continue their charge toward The Final after crashing out of The Challenger in 2023.

>> SEASON PREVIEWS: Brisbane Heat | Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers

BBL|13 RECAP

Record: 5-4, 1NR | 1-1 Finals | Third

The Strikers will look to go further in BBL|14 after a surprise appearance in the finals last season. Qualifying for finals before beating the Scorchers in Perth, the Strikers managed to get to The Challenger but were beaten by the eventual champions, the Brisbane Heat. It was a mighty turnaround from the 1-4 start, piecing together a barnstorming run to reach the postseason and challenge the competition’s best.

BBL|14 SQUAD

Fabian Allan, James Bazley, Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Travis Head, Thomas Kelly, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton, Lloyd Pope, Ollie Pope, Alex Ross, D’Arcy Short, Matt Short, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald

Note: Adelaide will have to sign replacement players for each of its Australian Test representatives, but has otherwise filled all 18 list spots.

SQUAD CHANGES

IN: Jordan Buckingham, Ollie Pope (pre-draft signing), Alex Ross (Thunder), Fabian Allen (draft)
OUT: Wes Agar (Thunder), Ben Manenti (Sixers)

The Adelaide Strikers look largely similar to BBL|13, with minimal changes coming through the off-season. They were active in the trade space with Wes Agar moving to the Sydney Thunder with a second-round pick in order to strengthen their draft position.

Spinner Ben Manenti also left, heading back to the Sixers. This doesn’t change much for the Strikers, who often used Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce instead. Chris Lynn will be available for the entirety of the tournament, as is Fabian Allen, who joins as a West Indies international.

The Strikers have elected to retain all-rounder Jamie Overton, who was immense for them last season, while bringing in his England teammate Ollie Pope through the draft pre-signing period.

In terms of new local talent, SACA bowler Jordan Buckingham has signed for the first time for the BBL side, while Alex Ross returns from the Thunder to his former team.

INTERNATIONAL REPS

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey and former captain Travis Head are the two international players that the Strikers will lose for the first part of the tournament, if they can muster a game for their BBL side.

Harry Nielsen has been a solid replacement with the gloves for Carey, however they will need to be able to cover his batting, which they can with the depth of the squad.

Head’s replacement could be already in the squad without a replacement option, with Thomas Kelly or Jake Weatherald able to bat at four, however the calibre of talent isn’t probably like-for-like.

One player that could be also unavailable depending on the fitness of the Test squad is Brendan Doggett, who was called up ahead of the Adelaide Test.

POTENTIAL XI

Excluding Australian Test Players

1. Matthew Short
2. D’Arcy Short
3. Chris Lynn
4. Ollie Pope
5. Alex Ross
6. Harry Nielsen
7. Jamie Overton
8. Fabian Allen
9. Brendan Doggett
10. Henry Thornton
11. Cameron Boyce

FIXTURES

vs. Sydney Thunder
Tuesday December 17 @ Manuka Oval

vs. Melbourne Stars
Friday December 20 @ Adelaide Oval

vs. Brisbane Heat
Sunday December 22 @ Gabba

vs. Hobart Hurricanes
Friday December 27 @ Adelaide Oval

vs. Perth Scorchers
Tuesday December 31 @ Adelaide Oval

vs. Melbourne Renegades
Thursday January 2 @ Marvel Stadium

vs. Hobart Hurricanes
Sunday January 5 @ Ninja Stadium

vs. Brisbane Heat
Saturday January 11 @ Adelaide Oval

vs. Sydney Sixers
Wednesday January 15 @ Adelaide Oval

vs. Perth Scorchers
Saturday January 18 @ Perth Stadium

PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY

The most important clash for the Strikers is always the New Year’s Eve game which will be played against the Perth Scorchers at Adelaide Oval. Playing every NYE since Head’s match-winning innings to seal victory against the Sydney Sixers in 2015, the game always draws a sellout crowd.

Both games against the Brisbane Heat also loom as big clashes, with the Strikers possibly wanting to take revenge on their opponents for knocking them out of the race for last year’s silverware.

SEASON PREDICTION

Ladder range: 1-4

The Strikers don’t look like an overly different team to last season based on their list changes, however the additions of Pope and Allen, as well as the availability of Chris Lynn look like positive signs for the Strikers.

Their depth might make or break their chances at the championship, with some of the less experienced players lacking consistency that will see the whole squad’s contributions be enough. When looking at other squads, the Heat, Sixers and Scorchers are the ones to beat, but Adelaide will hoping to be right up there with them again.