5 players who can star in BBL 10

The Australian cricket extravaganza lived up to its billing in BBL09, with many newcomers making a name for themselves, while the old stalwarts performed once again

The 2020/21 KFC Big Bash will get underway on December 3 after much deliberation. With COVID-19 already having cost Australia the hosting of the T20 Cricket World Cup, fans from around the country will be pleased that the Big Bash hasn’t suffered the same fate.

The Australian cricket extravaganza lived up to its billing in BBL09, with many newcomers making a name for themselves, while the old stalwarts performed once again. Marcus Stoinis ended BBL09 as not only the top runscorer, but also with the highest number of runs (705) in a single BBL season – eclipsing D’Arcy Short’s 637 runs in BBL08.

It is worth noting that many international players will not be available for Big Bash 10, with Australia hosting India in a Test series in December and January. At this point, six weeks out from the start of BBL10, the window is still open for players to transfer to other teams, while more non-Australian signings are possible too.

But five of the players we are most looking forward to are:

Dawid Malan (Hobart Hurricanes)

Dawid Malan is one of many South African-born Englishmen to star on the international stage over the last two decades. This will be Malan’s first venture into the Big Bash, but he has plenty of domestic T20 experience having starred in domestic tournaments in South Africa, England and Bangladesh.

Malan comes into BBL10 as the top ranked T20 batsman in the world. He averages 48.71 in international T20 cricket and will add plenty of quality to an already strong looking Hobart Hurricanes batting line-up.

Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers)

Josh Philippe had a stellar season with the Sydney Sixers in BBL09 as the franchise went on to lift the trophy. The young opening batsman scored freely throughout, as he amassed 487 runs in his 16 innings, finishing third in the leading runscorers chart behind only Alex Hales and Marcus Stoinis.

Philippe’s form was rewarded with an international call-up and an IPL contract. The young Western Australian batsman will look to kick on this season in the hope of retaining his place in the Australian short format squad.

Tom Banton (Brisbane Heat)

The Brisbane Heat will be delighted to have captured the signature of Tom Banton for the next two BBL seasons. He proved to be a success after spending half of the 2019/20 campaign with the Heat, racking up three half-centuries.

Banton is widely considered among the top young batsmen globally at this point and this could be his breakthrough tournament. He has enjoyed relative success on the international stage in recent times and should he bat at the top of the order, the Heat could have a real gem on their hands.

Adam Zampa (Melbourne Stars)

A leg-spinner is a crucial cog in any team and in Adam Zampa the Melbourne Stars have one of the best. Zampa has enjoyed his last two BBL seasons – last year he took 20 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 16.20. His economy rate was an impressive 7.20.

Zampa has also had recent success on the international front, but this could mean he misses part of the BBL if the national selectors want him around for the Test series against India. Even with the possibility of him missing part of BBL10, Australian tipster website Bets.com.au have included the Stars in their best bets as the team to beat.

Daniel Sams (Sydney Thunder)

The fact that Daniel Sams made the Australian limited overs squad to tour England recently tells you all you need to know about his form. In BBL09, Sams finished as the top wicket-taker with 30 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 15.37. He was also the only bowler that managed more than one maiden over during the tournament.

It was off the back of Sams' performances that the Thunder went so far in the tournament. He has a stellar record at the death with a great variety of deliveries which will once again make him a contender for top bowler.