No matter who you support, here's all you need to know about this summer's schedule
BBL|05 fixture: your club's highlights
Big Bash League schedule released
View the full BBL|05 fixture
Major signings unveiled at WBBL launch
Adelaide Strikers: After attracting record crowds in BBL|04, the Strikers are hoping for more of the same this summer, with the now traditional New Year’s Eve fixture a highlight of the calendar.
The match will be played as a double header, with the men’s Strikers v Sixers clash to follow a WBBL match between the Strikers and the Scorchers.
“New Year’s Eve with the Strikers offers amazing value for money, with two T20 matches plus a post-match concert and plenty of giveaways for fans,” said Strikers General Manager, Bronwyn Klei.
“Feedback from last year was overwhelmingly positive, from the double-header to the rock concert and we are working hard to make sure we do it bigger and better in BBL|05.
Brisbane Heat: Desperate to make amends for a disappointing BBL|04, the Heat open their campaign with a home clash against the Renegades – a clash potentially featuring two of the world’s most dangerous T20 batsmen in Brendon McCullum (Heat) and Chris Gayle (Renegades).
Brisbane will also play home fixtures against Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers.
“One of things that stands out from the past BBL tournaments is the benefit of winning the majority of your home games,” new Heat coach Daniel Vettori said. “All of your games are important in the BBL but doing well at home is certainly something to aim for.
“The fans who come to the Heat games really enjoy the experience so we will be striving to deliver an exciting brand of T20 for them.”
Hobart Hurricanes: The Hurricanes open their season against the Sixers at the SCG before home fans get their first look at Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara at Blundstone Arena against the Heat on December 22.
A highlight of the fixture is the New Year's Day double header with the WBBL Hobart Hurricanes team who will also play the Sydney Thunder at Blundstone Arena.
“There will be some great match-ups for members and fans to watch with the Melbourne Renegades’ boasting big hitters Aaron Finch and Chris Gayle whilst the likes of Jacques Kallis at the Sydney Thunder will also visit our shores,” said Hurricanes coach Damien Wright.
"We of course have our very own world-class Internationals with Kumar Sangakkara and Darren Sammy who we know will be just as entertaining to watch.”
Melbourne Renegades: Two games prior to Christmas will see the Renegades’ campaign begin with a bang, as they travel to Brisbane first up before returning home for a clash with the Sixers.
Back-to-back Melbourne derbies will again take place in the opening weeks of January.
“This looks like a good schedule for the team and I’m looking forward to pulling on the red jersey in the Australian summer,” said major signing Chris Gayle.
“I know the team travelled last season in the early stages so it’s good for us to be back at Etihad Stadium early on, playing in front of our home fans and making some noise in BBL|05.
“I’m feeling fit, things are going nicely at the moment and the time is flying. I will be heading to Melbourne before long to meet up with my new team mates and we’ll be ready to give the Big Bash League a real shake up.”
Melbourne Stars: For the first time, the Stars will host the Tunder at the ‘G, kicking off their home campaign on December 20 in an all-green affair as they welcome Australia Test captain Michael Clarke to the fold.
The MCG-based Melbourne derby will also be played as a double-header with a WBBL match featuring another Aussie captain in Meg Lanning in the afternoon before the men’s scheduled 6.10pm start.
“It’s going to be a great day of family entertainment for Melbourne cricket fans – the best women’s cricketers playing at the home of cricket, followed by the men’s cross-town rivalry that always draws a big crowd,” said Stars CEO Clint Cooper.
“We had some thrilling matches last year which resulted in an electric atmosphere at the MCG – something we’re looking forward to recreating this season.
“We’ll be looking to break the crowd record at the Derby this season, but we also have three other matches that have a lot to offer for our fans.”
Perth Scorchers: Big news for the Scorchers in BBL|05 with the Perth-based side set to feature in a series of prime-time double-header BBL clashes.
The two-time defending champions will open their season with two 4:10pm matches, including a clash with the Brisbane Heat in the Boxing Day blockbuster, and follow it up with two games under lights, including a final rematch with Sydney Sixers on January 2.
“I'm thrilled about the tradition of Boxing Day being at The Furnace,” said coach Justin Langer. “Boxing Day used to always be my favourite day of the calendar year and now I get the double-whammy: I get to watch the Boxing Day Test like all Australians on the telly and then we get to actually play that day.
“I think it's good to get good momentum, but we've also found over the last couple years is that you've got to try and win consistently throughout.
“Whether it's the first two games, what I do know is that we've had an advantage at The Furnace before: the crowd is unbelievable, the wicket has given us an advantage in the past and opposition teams have to adapt to it, we've had good success and it's nice to be able to start our campaign here at again.”
Sydney Sixers: After launching the BBL|05 season with the Sydney Smash derby against the Thunder at Spotless Stadium, the Sixers will welcome the Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat to the SCG before ending the home-and-away season with the return leg of the Sydney Smash.
“We are delighted with our fixtures this season and the family friendly time slots we have been scheduled,” said Sixers General Manager Dominic Remond.
“We’ve got some exciting plans for our matches and we’re looking forward to putting on some great events to celebrate the summer school holidays.
“We are particularly happy with our opening home fixture of the season with the Sixers hosting a Sunday twilight match, perfect for families of all ages.”
Sydney Thunder: The Thunder will clash with cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium in the Sydney Smash for the first game of the Big Bash season, on Thursday, December 17 followed by home games against the Strikers, Scorchers and Renegades in Mike Hussey’s farewell season from the BBL.
“I think it’ll be really exciting to play the Sixers at Spotless Stadium for the first time, it’ll be good to set the standard for the year and get one over our rivals,” said young gun Kurtis Patterson, who has just extended his contract with the club.
“The squad is looking very strong, we’ve got the core of last year’s team coming back and we’ve made some additions who are really crafty players that can help us get some wins on the board.”
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