2024-25 Big Bash League Preview: Adelaide Strikers

As the 14th edition of Australia’s Big Bash League draws ever closer, we’re previewing the tournament by analysing all eight squads in depth.

This piece sees us focus on BBL 7 champions and play-off participants in four of the last five seasons, the Adelaide Strikers.

Captain: Matthew Short

Head Coach: Tim Paine

Confirmed Overseas Players: Fabian Allen (WI), Jamie Overton (ENG), Ollie Pope (ENG)

Last Season: 4th place - Beaten in Challenger game.

Betting Analysis: Batting

Bettors should immediately turn their attention to the six-hitting prowess of Chris Lynn when it comes to Adelaide Strikers. A BBL legend with Brisbane Heat, Lynn is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance at the Strikers and is always capable of clearing the boundary rope across multiple innings. Players like Lynn and D’Arcy Short are all the more important due to both Travis Head and wicket-keeper Alex Carey not being available, most likely until the new year.

However, when it comes to Adelaide Strikers’ batting, one player steals the spotlight, last season’s top-scoring BBL asset. Matthew Short racked up 541 runs for Adelaide over the course of BBL 13, 175 runs more than his nearest rival. His ability to put up large individual scores warrants investment across Adelaide’s league stage fixtures.

Betting Analysis: Bowling

Adelaide Strikers boasted three bowlers within the top eight wicket-takers of BBL 13, one of those being England overseas player Jamie Overton, whom the Strikers have managed to resign for this coming season. Surrey star Overton racked up 16 wickets last year, whilst the domestic pair of Cameron Boyce and Lloyd Pope added 14 and 13 scalps apiece.

Boyce and Pope established themselves as the ideal spin-partnership for Adelaide, who can also call upon Henry Thornton if captain Matthew Short wants someone who can provide that extra pace in a bid to find a wicket or two. 24-year-old Jordan Buckingham is also one to watch.

Adelaide Strikers Prediction: Key places in place for another play-off campaign

Provided Adelaide Strikers can manage being without their international duo of Alex Carey and Travis Heat through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, then bettors should expect another BBL that sees the Strikers firmly in the play-off picture. Matthew Short’s numbers speak for themselves, whilst D’Arcy Short and Chris Lynn are both proven BBL run machines when on form. 

It must be noted that the bowling attack lacks many star-names, but as a fully-functioning unit they are extremely underrated and should surprise a fair few people. Whether they have enough to actually win the tournament is another story, but another top four finish is certainly expected of this Adelaide Strikers squad.