The Big Bash League 2020-21 is the latest in the line of franchise cricket leagues that are resuming action since the global virus happened. And with the ICC T20 World Cup happening next year, the Australian extravaganza will be yet another chance for players to stake their claims.
Though the new set of rules in BBL 10 have thrown few fans off gear even before the start of the tournament, it will hardly bother the T20 stars who are raring to go with high-octane at disposal.
We outline five players who are tipped to shine in this opening week and could help the fantasy owners get ahead early on.
Player: Rashid Khan, Adelaide Strikers
Match: Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes
The shrewd Afghanistan spinner has been one of the biggest success stories of the Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers. And the all-rounder returns to the team after a successful Indian T20 League campaign in October-November. While Rashid Khan has scalped 56 wickets in 40 matches, he has also made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring 253 runs at a strike-rate of 161.14.
Fresh from a positive campaign with Hyderabad in the Indian T20 League, where he bagged 20 wickets at an economy rate of 5.37, Rashid Khan is tipped to make a bright start to the BBL 2020-21 season when he faces Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday.
Player: James Pattinson, Melbourne Renegades
Match: Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers
James Pattinson is amongst the most experienced homegrown players in the Big Bash League, and he returns to Melbourne Renegades after a two-season stint with Brisbane Heat. The 30-year-old has scalped 32 wickets in his Big Bash League career and will be eager for a splendid change in fortunes in franchise cricket, having played out a disappointing campaign for Mumbai in the recently-concluded Indian T20 League.
Amongst the current crop of Australian players representing the Renegades in the latest edition, Pattinson is the only bowler who has been the leading wicket-taker for the franchise team on two occasions. Coach Michael Klinger will also have high hopes from the veteran pacer.
Player: Glenn Maxwell, Melbourne Stars
Match: Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat; Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder
The Melbourne Stars captain is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of the Big Bash League, who will arrive at the back of an exciting T20I and ODI series against India. Fans would expect Glenn Maxwell to continue his rich vein of form in 20-overs cricket as his career graph in the competition is certainly amongst the best. Maxwell is the second-highest run-getter in the history of the team (1304 runs).
Speaking of current form, Maxwell put his poor form from the Indian T20 League behind as he scored 78 runs in the recent T20I series against India to ease the pressure that he had brought upon himself.
Player: Cameron Green, Perth Scorchers
Match: Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers
A 21-year-old Cameron Green enters the 2020-21 edition of the Big Bash League as one of the most highly-rated stars, and Perth Scorchers would hope that the all-rounder turns out to be a revelation by the end of the BBL season. Having made his debut for the franchise in the 2018-19 season, Green has gone on to score 106 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 108.16.
Green is tipped to start Perth Scorchers’ opening game against Melbourne Renegades, and the youngster is poised to make a solid statement while facing the likes of James Pattinson and Kane Richardson.
Player: Moises Henriques, Sydney Sixers
Match: Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades
The Sydney Sixers captain is recognized as one of the most prolific performers in the Big Bash League, and enters the latest campaign with a clear aim to help his team defend their title. Moises Henriques made his international comeback to T20I cricket after a three-year absence with a three-wicket haul in the first game of the T20I series against India.
The 33-year-old hit 267 runs in the championship-winning season last year and seeks a positive start to the season against Hobart Hurricanes.
Feature Image courtesy: Instagram/ Glenn Maxwell
