Who will win the 2024-25 Big Bash League?
As the 14th edition of Australia’s Big Bash League looms large, we’ve analysed all eight teams and assessed which one is most likely to end up winners of the tournament this season.
We’ve begun by splitting the teams up into three sections, explaining our reasons for each placement.
Outsiders
Melbourne Stars
Sixth-place finishers last season and perennial BBL underachievers, it’s difficult to see that changing this year for Melbourne Stars. Once again, they boast some hugely exciting players on paper, not least overseas batter Ben Duckett, long-serving all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and newly appointed captain Marcus Stoinis.
However, a hamstring injury rules Maxwell out of the beginning of BBL 14, whilst Duckett won’t feature until England’s Test series with New Zealand is complete. Stoinis has to worry about captaincy, which could have an adverse effect on his batting.
The bowling attack is unlikely to strike fear into opponents either. When considering that we are likely to see a Stars side forced to chop and change initially, it doesn’t bode well for their chances.
Melbourne Renegades
It could prove to be a disappointing tournament in general for the Melbourne-based teams with the Renegades also predicted to struggle. Also with a new captain in Will Sutherland, this feels like a side in transition and lacks the depth that other squads contain.
Four of the last five seasons have seen them fail to reach the play-offs, which has no doubt proven the catalyst for change within the Renegades.
However, it would be no surprise if it takes a year before we see the best of this squad under the leadership of Sutherland and new head coach Cameron White. Inconsistency could wind up being their downfall with a number of exciting young players who could thrill one match and frustrate the next.
Hobart Hurricanes
A consistent top four contender over the last few years, Hobart Hurricanes have lacked that extra layer of depth that can get you into the play-offs in a tournament of this quality.
Two fifth-place and a sixth-place finish over the past three editions of the BBL is testament to that. Hobart’s best XI is a strong one, but take out a couple of players and the standard drops significantly.
Much depends on their main batters such as Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott and Tim David, not to mention their pace bowlers. Lack of quality spin could be an issue, as could the depth of batting down the order. In a crowded field, it’s difficult to see Hobart doing enough to sneak into that top four.
In the play-off hunt
Adelaide Strikers
A play-off team last year, it would be no surprise if Adelaide Strikers found themselves back in the top four this season. Especially when they boast of the most destructive batters across the entire tournament in Matt Short.
BBL 12 MVP and BBL 13 Golden Bat winner, Short is as close a guarantee of runs that you are likely to get in this competition. The Strikers also possess Chris Lynn, who has been brilliant since his move to Adelaide, scoring 304 runs last season.
Having resigned fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton and with the spin trio of Cameron Boyce and Lloyd Pope to call upon at any point, all the key pieces are still in play for Adelaide on the bowling side. Once their international players, most notably batter Travis Head re-joins the squad following the Australia vs India Test series, you could argue that no team boasts a more exciting team.
Sydney Thunder
Arguably the most intriguing prospect heading into BBL 14. Sydney Thunder finished rock-bottom of the table in 2023-24 but have made seismic moves in a bid to reverse their fortunes moving forward. None more so than the appointment of David Warner as captain.
The former Australian international opener will be available for the entire competition, which we have never seen before and whilst he is not in form right now, his leadership skills post-suspension were very good and a return to his best with the bat would spell big trouble for all rivals of the Thunder.
The supporting cast is promising as well. All-rounder Daniel Sams and Nathan McAndrew will be key as will strike bowlers Wes Agar and Lockie Ferguson. They may well have Pat Cummins as well once his international commitments are done.
Tanveer Sangha is one of the most promising young spinners in Australia, whilst Cameron Bancroft comes off the back of winning the English T20 Blast in the off-season. Make no mistake, this Thunder side have the tools to record a big bounce-back season and play-off BBL cricket again.
Main title contenders
Sydney Sixers
Arguably the most dynastic team in BBL history, Sydney Sixers have finished in the league stage’s top two in all of the last five seasons, winning it all of two of those campaigns.
Led by arguably the best captain we’ve ever seen in Moises Henriques, the Sixers are filled with grizzled veterans who have been there, done that and simply know how to win in this competition. They’ve retained their winning core and will be in the mix come the business-end of BBL 14.
Long-serving overseas star James Vince is coming back again, whilst Daniel Hughes was the best batter across the T20 Blast in England earlier this year. Henriques, Jordan Silk and Ben Dwarshuis forms an intimidating core and let’s not forget Josh Philippe, so often a big-scorer within the top order.
That’s before we get to the Australian international regulars who could don the Magenta in 2025, such as Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. An embarrassment of riches!
Brisbane Heat
Reigning champions and out to defend their title, Brisbane Heat are looking at running things back and whilst they may have lost Josh Brown, that doesn’t take away the fact that the Heat are a formidable prospect.
Batters win games, but bowlers win championships and Brisbane boast the two top-wicket takers across BBL 13 in Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson. Paul Walter has also been retained, the tall left-arm bowling all-rounder racking up 17 wickets last season.
Key to whether Brisbane can give their bowlers enough runs to work with across the competition will be players such as Colin Munro, Matt Renshaw and the new Australian Test opening pair of Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja, the latter set to captain the Heat again upon his return. McSweeney in particular, was a force in BBL 13.
Perth Scorchers
Another consistent contender in the midst of a championship window, it would be a huge surprise to see Perth Scorchers not in the mix to win BBL 14, which would be their third title across the last four seasons, cementing what has been a BBL dynasty.
Optus Stadium has been established as one of the toughest places for an opposition side to play when considering the fan support for the Scorchers and how well the Perth players compete on home turf.
On paper, Perth can call upon the best bowling attack of any BBL team, from both a quality and strength-in-depth perspective. All bases are covered through the likes of Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson and Andrew Tye, whilst all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Mitchell Marsh will slot right in when they return from injury/international duty.
As for the batting, runs have always been easy to come by for the Scorchers, no matter the team they put out and that isn’t likely to change.
