Preview: New-look Strikers seek change

The squad: Travis Head (c), Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Michael Cormack, Jono Dean, Daniel Drew, David Grant, Colin Ingram, Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O’Connor, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Jono Wells, Nick Winter.

Ins: Colin Ingram (South Africa), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Peter Siddle (Renegades), Jonathan Wells (Hurricanes).

Outs: Ben Dunk (Stars), Brad Hodge (Renegades), Jon Holland (Renegades), Chris Jordan (unsigned), Tim Ludeman (Renegades), Kieron Pollard (Renegades), Kane Richardson (Renegades)

The inside word: There is palpable excitement in the Strikers camp over what their Afghani recruit Rashid Khan will bring to the side this season. The likes of Adil Rashid and Ish Sodhi have both had success as wrist-spinners with Adelaide in recent seasons and there’s a genuine element of mystery with the teenaged Rashid considering few Australian players have faced him before. He’s nonetheless made quite a name for himself in his short career; no bowler has taken more wickets in international limited-overs matches in 2017 than him. His ability to bowl in the Power Play, through the middle overs and potentially even at the death could make him the Strikers’ trump card in BBL|07.

The talking points: The Strikers have lost a wealth of experience from last year's squad, with the likes of captain Brad Hodge along with Ben Dunk, Jon Holland, Kane Richardson and Tim Ludeman all departing. That veteran nous is difficult to replace in a format that older players have tended to thrive in and the exits of Hodge and Dunk – their two leading run-scorers last season – in particular will hurt. While international call-ups shouldn’t affect the squad too much, the likely loss of new skipper Travis Head to one-day international duties at the back-end of the tournament will be a blow. But there's no shortage of talent in this squad and the onus is now on Head, fellow batters Jake Lehmann and Jake Weatherald and towering quick Billy Stanlake to step up this summer.

BBL|06 result: A disappointing campaign that never recovered after beginning with losses to Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat. Consistent contributors with the bat outside of Dunk (364 runs at 52) and Hodge (286 runs at 40.85) were hard to come by, while a total of 17 players were used as numerous Strikers players suffered injuries, leaving the side struggling to find the right combinations.

The one to watch: They call him the "Bulldozer" and Adelaide will be relying on Colin Ingram to get things moving at the top of the order. The former South Africa limited-overs batter, now a Kolpak player with Glamorgan, is one of the most feared limited-overs batsmen on the English county circuit and was named the player of the tournament for their 2016 domestic T20 competition. A powerful left-hander, Ingram has been in hot form in South Africa’s T20 tournament recently and looms as a major factor for the men in blue this summer.

The pressure on: While the Strikers' batsmen collectively need to lift in Hodge and Dunk’s absence, new recruit Peter Siddle will be expected the lead Adelaide's attack and pick up wickets with the new ball. While better known for his feats with the red ball, the 62-Test veteran had an outstanding JLT One-Day Cup for Victoria in conceding less than four runs per over through seven games. It bodes well for the BBL and with batters forced to attack him even more than they did in the 50-over format, it could make him an even more potent wicket-taking force.

The fixtures: Dec 22 v Thunder (home), Dec 28 v Sixers (away), Dec 31 v Heat (home), Jan 4 v Hurricanes (away), Jan 7 v thunder (away), Jan 9 v Stars (home), Jan 13 v Scorchers (home – Alice Springs), Jan 17 v Hurricanes (home), Jan 22 v Renegades (away), Jan 25 v Scorchers (away)