BBL11: Every team's player to watch

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BBL 11 players to watch

Summer is arriving despite the weather across the east coast, which means it's time for the Big Bash League to begin for another year.

BBL|11 will start on December 5th, with reigning champions Sydney Sixers taking on the star-studded Melbourne Stars in the opening game of the season.

There will be a host of players looking to make an impact for their respective sides, from young guns like Jake Fraser-McGurk to seasoned veterans like Glenn Maxwell. 

Ahead of the BBL season, Sporting News have dug through each squad and found a 'player to watch' from each franchise, with some talented names in the mix. 

Adelaide Strikers - Liam Scott

Originally from NSW, Scott has been down in South Australia for the past two summers and is looking to break in to the Strikers' on a permanent basis this year.

The 20-year-old has played just one game for the Adelaide-based franchise, and has plenty to offer with both bat and ball.

Scott is a young and talented cricketer who represented Australia in under-age tournaments, and is certainly a player to keep an eye on heading into the Big Bash season. 

Brisbane Heat - Matt Kuhnemann

The left-arm orthodox bowler has been in terrific form for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield competition, taking 17 wickets in four games - including two five-wicket hauls.

The 25-year-old hasn't set the world on fire for the Heat in previous campaigns, producing just five wickets in nine appearances, but will be filled with confidence given his form in red-ball cricket so far this year.

Kuhnemann will likely bowl in tandem with star spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, who set the BBL alight last year, as Brisbane look to get back to the top of the pile in the competition. 

Hobart Hurricanes - Harry Brook

The import from England had a breakout T20 Blast campaign back home in 2020, averaging over 50 runs and striking at 163 during the group stages.

Brook moved up to No.4 for his Yorkshire this season and performed well again, while his performances in The Hundred for Northern Superchargers also caught the eye of many fans.

Still only 22 years of age, Brook is a future international player and will be looking to make an immediate impact for the Hurricanes in the upcoming BBL season. 

Melbourne Renegades - Jake Fraser-McGurk

Still only a teenager, Fraser-McGurk burst onto the scene in late-2019 when he made both his first-class and List A debut for Victoria.

The 19-year-old was a part of the Renegades' squad for the past two seasons, and while he hasn't produced a stack of runs just yet, will be better for the experiences. 

Fraser-McGurk has a career strike-rate of over 100 in both 50-over and T20 cricket, and will be hoping to cement a spot in the Renegades' top-order this summer. 

Melbourne Stars - Qais Ahmad

Ahmad comes into the Stars' squad for the upcoming season after playing for Hobart last year, and has already travelled around multiple T20 leagues across the world at a young age. 

The 21-year-old leg-spinner has taken 95 wickets in 87 T20 games at an average of 22.25, bringing an impressive resume to the table for Glenn Maxwell's side.

Ahmad will arrive in camp after the Abu Dhabi T10 League, which is scheduled to finish on December 5th, meaning he will be available to bowl in tandem with Australian star Adam Zampa for a large chunk of BBL|11. 

Perth Scorchers - Aaron Hardie

Hardie has been around the Scorchers' squad for a couple of seasons now, but will want to lock down a spot in the XI this summer and start making an impact with both bat and ball.

Originally from the UK, the 22-year-old all-rounder is yet to make his mark in the BBL, averaging just 16.37 with the bat and taking just 12 wickets across 19 appearances.

Hardie clearly has plenty of ability, showcased by his solid record in limited first-class opportunities, and will be hoping to showcase that ability in T20 cricket this summer. 

Sydney Sixers - Tom Curran

It's harder to find a 'player to watch' in a side that won the competition last year - but the return of English all-rounder Curran will be a huge boost for the Sixers.

After withdrawing from BBL|10 due to the pandemic, the 26-year-old will be back in magenta this summer and looking to make an impact - especially after failing to make the English side during the T20 World Cup.

Last time Curran was out here in the Big Bash, he scored 133 runs at a strike-rate of just under 150, and finished with 22 wickets - equal-2nd in the competition behind Daniel Sams (30). 

Curran was spotted down at Coogee Oval just a week out from the tournament, sending down a few rockets in preparation for his return to the Sixers. 

Sydney Thunder - Baxter Holt

Had a few opportunities last year for the Thunder, but looks set to be their first-choice keeper for the upcoming season, again needing to battle it out with Matt Gilkes.

The 22-year-old has been highly-touted in the NSW system for quite some time, and will be looking to translate that into some big performances in BBL|11. 

Holt scored just 65 runs last year in his five innings for the Thunder, striking at over 100, but will need to improve on that if he is to lock down his spot in the side this summer. 

Author(s)
Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia.