Updated BBL|06 squads for each club

Now the KFC Big Bash League summer schedule has been confirmed clubs will be busy finalising their playing squads for the tournament beginning in December.

By July 1 each club must have a minimum of 10 players on their books. Clubs must then have their 18-player squad completed, including a maximum of two overseas players as well as their community and development rookies, finalised by December 2.

Quick Single: Big Bash League schedule released

The first trade window in February saw no player movement but a second window will be open between November 14 and 18.

Expect to see plenty of signings between now and then as clubs look to use their $1.4m salary cap (up from $1.3m in BBL|05) wisely.

As it stands, here are the squads for each club:

Adelaide Strikers

The Adelaide Strikers are relishing the thought of welcoming back a rejuvenated Kieron Pollard for this summer's BBL, as they look to improve on their back-to-back semi-final appearances.

The West Indies allrounder, who signed a three-year deal with the Strikers in October 2014, was ruled out of BBL|05 after injuring his knee playing in South Africa's domestic Twenty20 competition last November.

The explosive batsman's return will be particularly welcome following the departure of middle-order batsman Alex Ross to the Brisbane Heat.

After missing the Windies' World T20 campaign as he continued his recovery, Pollard has returned to form with a bang for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, striking a 21-ball fifty against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this month.

Adelaide's second import for BBL|06 is less clear. England spinner Adil Rashid is contracted for another season and last season's leading wicket-taker would be given a warm reception back at the Adelaide Oval.

But his availability for the Strikers could be severely curtailed by international duty next summer with England touring India over the Christmas period with Rashid highly likely to feature.

In: TBA

Out: Alex Ross (Heat)

Retained: Travis Head, Brad Hodge, Jon Holland, Hamish Kingston, Tim Ludeman, Kieron Pollard (OS), Adil Rashid (OS, pending availability), Kane Richardson, Craig Simmons, Kelvin Smith, Billy Stanlake.

Off-contract players: Jonathon Dean, Mahela Jayawardena (OS), Alex Keath, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Gary Putland

Brisbane Heat

World No.1 ranked Twenty20 international bowler Samuel Badree will again be spinning his web at the Gabba this summer, after Heat coach Daniel Vettori confirmed the West Indies leg-spinner has re-signed for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League season.

Badree will join former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum as Brisbane’s two international imports for BBL|06.

While Badree didn't pick up a wicket until his fourth game in the teal in BBL|05, he made up for lost time, soaring to the top of the BBL Official Player Rankings with a series of good performances including a match-winning 5-22 against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG.

He followed it up with a strong World T20 campaign, taking nine wickets including 3-12 against Sri Lanka and 2-16 against England in the final.

The Heat have also signed exciting young South Australia batsman Alex Ross from the Strikers.

In: Alex Ross (Strikers)

Out: Lendl Simmons (OS)

Retained: Samuel Badree (OS) Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Alex Doolan, Andrew Fekete, Luke Feldman, Jason Floros, Sam Heazlett, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (OS), James Peirson, Nathan Reardon, Alex Ross, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth.

Off-contract players: Nicholas Buchanan, Peter Forrest, James Hopes

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes welcome back Kumar Sangakkara for a second season this summer, while their second international spot is currently available with West Indian Darren Sammy out of contract.

It's been reported the Hurricanes are one of several clubs keen to lure West Indian Carlos Brathwaite. Brathwaite won a legion of new fans with his powerful hitting and exuberant celebrations during his debut Test series in Australia last summer, providing a rare high point in a disappointing campaign for the tourists.

Those performances alone would have tweaked the interest of BBL clubs, but his match-winning effort in the World T20 final last month - and $886,100 price tag he earned in the Indian Premier League auction - has made him one of the most sought-after players in the world.

"We made contact with him before the World Cup, so disappointed that he put himself up in lights actually," Hurricanes general manager Michael Roberts told News Corp, tongue in cheek.

"There’s a fair bit of interest in him now, not just in Big Bash but world cricket. The ball is in his court now. We’re waiting for him to come back with further discussions.

"You need these internationals to come in and really embrace what Big Bash is about without the ego ... from what I’ve heard about Carlos, he’s the perfect Big Bash model player."

Ins: TBA

Outs: TBA

Retained: George Bailey, Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Ben Dunk, Ben McDermott, Dominic Michael, Simon Milenko, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Jake Reed, Clive Rose, Kumar Sangakkara (OS), Shaun Tait, Jonathan Wells.

Off-contract players: Michael Hill, Joe Mennie, Darren Sammy (OS), Timm van der Gugten, Beau Webster

Melbourne Renegades

The Melbourne Renegades have signed one of the most iconic players in the BBL, luring veteran spinner Brad Hogg from the Perth Scorchers.

Melbourne Renegades recruit Brad Hogg says a suggestion from Justin Langer that he should retire on a high note and a desire to create opportunities for young spinners were the major reasons behind his decision to leave the Perth Scorchers.

The Renegades have also confirmed they will not re-sign controversial West Indian Chris Gayle for next summer's KFC Big Bash League.

The Jamaican opener has lurched between controversies since his boundary-line "don't blush baby" interview with reporter Mel McLaughlin. Gayle now faces possible censure from his UK county club Somerset when he arrives in the UK following his latest controversial remarks to a female journalist in that country.

Gayle equalled the record for the fastest T20 fifty in his final innings for the Renegades last summer, but otherwise was below par with 260 runs at 32.50 in eight matches.

Fellow Windies import Dwayne Bravo is also out of contract, while the Renegades have signed Marcus Harris from the Scorchers.

Ins: Brad Hogg (Perth), Marcus Harris (Perth)

Outs: Chris Gayle (uncontracted)

Retained: Tom Beaton, Tom Cooper, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, James Pattinson, Nathan Rimmington, Peter Siddle, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, Cameron White

Off-contract players: Dwayne Bravo (OS), Chris Gayle (OS), Nathan Hauritz, Peter Nevill, Matthew Short, Guy Walker

Perth Scorchers

Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer dropped a bombshell when he revealed Brad Hogg had chosen to leave the club.

Hogg has told the Scorchers he's leaving, with reports suggesting he'll take up a deal with the Melbourne Renegades.

Langer, who has yet to speak with Hogg, says he was shocked by the decision.

"Yeah, very disappointing," Langer said on Friday of Hogg, who played for the Scorchers in their back-to-back BBL titles.

"I know, but I can’t tell you where he’s s going. But he’s leaving the Scorchers.

"I’m really disappointed about that. What can I say? I’m personally disappointed, professionally disappointed, but it’s his decision and life goes on.

"In my opinion he’s made wrong decision, that’s okay, that’s not my business.

"But I can go to bed at night knowing we offered him more money than we offered him last year, we think we’ve had as good deal with him for the last few years and it could have been a real win-win situation for him and us."

Ins: TBA

Outs: Brad Hogg (Renegades), Marcus Harris (Renegades)

Retained:  Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Michael Klinger, James Muirhead, Joel Paris, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman

Off-contract players: Michael Carberry (OS), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Marcus Harris, Brad Hogg, Simon Mackin, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Adam Voges, David Willey (OS)

Melbourne Stars

There’s been little news out of the MCG-based club so far this off-season and it remains to be seen whether David Hussey will carry on as Stars skipper next season, with the 38-year-old out of contract.

Asked about his future at the start of last season, Hussey told cricket.com.au: "I don't know. I'm 38 at the moment, I feel about 50, so we’ll just see how we go this year. It all depending on our list and whether we can fast track a few of the younger kids on our list up to the squad."  

Ins: TBA

Outs: TBA

Retained: Michael Beer, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Sebastian Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, John Hastings, Ben Hilfenhaus, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen (OS), Robert Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Tom Triffitt, Luke Wright (OS), Adam Zampa.

Off-contract players: David Hussey, Daniel Worrall

Sydney Sixers

The Sixers could well have two international vacancies on their roster; it's expected South African born allrounder Johan Botha will be granted Australian citizenship this year, while Englishman Michael Lumb is yet to sign on for BBL|06.

They are reported to be among the clubs keen on Windies allrounder Carlos Brathwaite.

Ins: TBA

Outs: TBA

Retained: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Johan Botha, Ryan Carters, Ben Dwarshuis, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Stephen O'Keefe, Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc

Off-contract players: Doug Bollinger, Ed Cowan, Michael Edwards, Michael Lumb (OS), Steve Smith

Sydney Thunder

The Sydney Thunder's title defence could be bolstered by the return of two international superstars this summer.

While the reigning BBL champions are tight-lipped on who exactly will fill their two overseas slots this summer, Thunder general manager Nick Cummins has confirmed on social media that both spots had been filled for BBL|06.

West Indies star Andre Russell's success in his debut season in lime green makes him a 'must sign', and the Thunder will have been desperate to beat off rival BBL clubs to ensure his return, while England one-day captain Eoin Morgan also looms as a prime target for the Thunder.

Cummins said the club would look for a player with a lot of Indian Premier League experience to fill the gaps left by retired skipper Mike Hussey and South Africa legend Jacques Kallis, who appears to have made the transition to life as a coach after a stint as Kolkata mentor in the IPL.

With former Australia allrounder Shane Watson already on their list, the Thunder's top priority is strengthening their batting line-up – particularly given Usman Khawaja will likely be engaged with international duties for much of the summer – while leadership experience is another priority.

Morgan, who played four matches for the Thunder in BBL|04, ticks all those boxes.

However, the Irish-born batsman's availability may prove a sticking point, with England due to play a limited-overs series in India in January.

Ins: TBA

Outs: Mike Hussey (retired); Jacques Kallis (retired)

Retained: Fawad Ahmed, Patrick Cummins, Jake Doran, Ryan Gibson, Usman Khawaja, Alister McDermott, Clint McKay, Ben Rohrer, Gurinder Sandhu, Shane Watson

Off-contract players: Ahillen Beadle, Aiden Blizzard, Chris Green, Chris Hartley, Jacques Kallis (OS), Andrew McDonald, Henry Nicholls, Andre Russell (OS)