Full squads: How each club's list is shaping up for BBL|16

Strikers | Heat | Hurricanes | Renegades | Stars | Scorchers | Sixers | Thunder

After Perth Scorchers sealed a record-extending sixth title in BBL|15, list managers have quickly turned to focus to how their club is shaping up for next season.

The post-season player movement window saw only the Sydney Sixers snap up eligible free agents who were uncontracted at the end of the season, adding Ollie Davies and Fergus O'Neill to their ranks.

After a league-wide contracting embargo lifted at 9am AEST Thursday, August 27, clubs are now permitted to fill out their 18-man rosters for the upcoming KFC BBL|16 season.

The overseas player draft has been scrapped for this season with the league returning to an open-market system through direct signings, which was in place prior to 2022.

The Thunder's Sam Billings is the only overseas player still contracted for next season, with international stars now set to negotiate their own deals with clubs without constraint.

Under new rules introduced ahead of BBL|16, there is no longer a minimum number of overseas players required to be contracted each season, with clubs able to sign a maximum of three to their primary list.

Details for a new contracting structure designed to give clubs greater flexibility to shape their rosters and unlock the earning potential of the Big Bash's biggest Aussie stars can be found here:

Each club was permitted have up to 12 men's players on their BBL list at the completion of the player movement window in February when no further contracting activity was allowed, domestic or international, until after the embargo was lifted.

Check out below how each club's list is placed right now:

Adelaide Strikers

Head coach: Tim Paine

 

Contracted for BBL|16: Alex Carey (contracted until BBL|17), Mackenzie Harvey (BBL|16), Thomas Kelly (BBL|16), Lloyd Pope (BBL|16), Jason Sangha (BBL|16), Liam Scott (BBL|16), Matt Short (BBL|17), Ben Stokes (BBL|16), Tom Straker (BBL|16), Henry Thornton (BBL|16), Jerrssis Wadia (BBL|17)

 

In: Ben Stokes (England)

 

Uncontracted: Hassan Ali (Pakistan), Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Harry Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton (England), Alex Ross, Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa), Luke Wood (England)

Adelaide landed one of the highest-profile overseas recruits in recent years with ex-England captain Ben Stokes signing on for BBL|16, joining forces with former Ashes foe turned Strikers coach Tim Paine. Stokes returns to the Big Bash following his international retirement having first featured in the competition 11 years ago for the Melbourne Renegades. The 35-year-old strengthens the side's all-round depth alongside emerging local talents Liam Scott and Jerrssis Wadia.

Indian-born allrounder Wadia became one of the stories of BBL|15 after a breakout performance against the Heat and he's been rewarded with a full contract in BBL|16 after being signed as a replacement player. He was part of a trio of re-signings for the Strikers on deadline day with versatile batter Mackenzie Harvey and speedster Henry Thornton earning one-year extensions.

Aussie superstar Travis Head is again out of contract after signing his own one-year deal for BBL|15. Head is a Striker through and through, it's just whether the jam-packed international schedule will allow him to play for the club, having not played in the past three seasons due to his Australian commitments.

Test teammate Alex Carey is locked in for another two seasons, as is captain Matt Short. But Chris Lynn, the BBL's all-time leading run-scorer, is facing an uncertain future after his fourth consecutive one-year deal with the Strikers expired at the end of the season.

Brisbane Heat

Head coach: James Hopes

 

Contracted for BBL|16: Xavier Bartlett (BBL|18), Max Bryant (BBL|18), Lachlan Hearne (BBL|16), Spencer Johnson (BBL|17), Matt Kuhnemann (BBL|16), Nathan McSweeney (BBL|16), Michael Neser (BBL|17), Matthew Renshaw (BBL|17), Callum Vidler (BBL|16), Hugh Weibgen (BBL|17), Jack Wildermuth (BBL|16)

 

Uncontracted: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan), Tom Alsop (England), Tom Balkin, Paddy Dooley, Liam Haskett, Zaman Khan (Pakistan), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munro (New Zealand), Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Wood

Recent Test retiree Usman Khawaja is a Big Bash free agent after he wasn't one of the 10 players contracted by the Heat before the embargo. Spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was the 10th player re-signed by the club prior to the player movement window, adding another year to his deal which now expires at the end of BBL|16. The Heat also moved quick to secure Test paceman Michael Neser for another two seasons after the contracting embargo was lifted in August.

Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is also out of contract after signing a one-year deal last year to bring up a decade in teal in BBL|15. Xavier Bartlett has three years to go on his contract, while Spencer Johnson has two, with the Heat showing a clear focus on youth for their 10 permitted roster spots prior to the embargo, with Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen and Max Bryant all locked in to return in BBL|16.

James Hopes will be the team's third coach in three years, replacing Johan Botha who resigned in June. Botha had coached the Heat for two seasons but was unable to take the club back to finals action after they won the BBL|13 title under Wade Seccombe.

Hobart Hurricanes

Head coach: Jeff Vaughan

 

Contracted for BBL|16: Nikhil Chaudhary (BBL|17), Tim David (BBL|16), Nathan Ellis (BBL|17), Ben McDermott (BBL|17), Riley Meredith (BBL|17), Mitch Owen (BBL|17), Billy Stanlake (BBL|16), Matthew Wade (BBL|16), Jake Weatherald (BBL|16), Beau Webster (BBL|17) 

 

Uncontracted: Rehan Ahmed (England), Marcus Bean, Jackson Bird, Hugo Burdon, Iain Carlisle, Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh), Chris Jordan (England), Will Prestwidge, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Mac Wright

The Hurricanes had their list in order well before the start of the BBL|15 season when they added another year to Matthew Wade's deal through to the end of BBL|16. Star batter Tim David was also locked away until the end of BBL|16 after attracting plenty of interest when he was a free agent last year. Also signing batter Jake Weatherald and towering quick Billy Stanlake to two-year deals gave them their 10 way back in June last year.

Opener Tim Ward is out of contract and could attract interest after a breakout 200-run season, with emerging fast bowlers Marcus Bean, Iain Carlisle and Will Prestwidge also free agents. The trio found it tough to break into the XI last season due to Hobart's stacked pace attack led by captain Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith, who are both locked away until the end of BBL|17. English allrounder Chris Jordan's two-year deal is up with the club able to re-sign him if they wish when the embargo lifts ahead of the new season.

The core of the BBL|14 champions' batting line-up is also secure with David, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Wade, Mitch Owen, Weatherald and Beau Webster returning in BBL|16. Mac Wright, who made his return from an ACL rupture in BBL|15, enters the free agency pool.

Melbourne Renegades

Head coach: Luke Ronchi

 

Contracted for BBL|16: Michael Archer (contracted until BBL|16), Jason Behrendorff (BBL|17), Josh Brown (BBL|17), Harry Dixon (BBL|16), Brendan Doggett (BBL|16), Sam Elliott (BBL|16), Jake Fraser-McGurk (BBL|17), Caleb Jewell (BBL|16), Ollie Peake (BBL|17), Tom Rogers (BBL|16), Callum Stow (BBL|16), Will Sutherland (BBL|17)

 

In: Michael Archer

 

Outs: Fergus O'Neill (Sydney Sixers), Andrew Tye (retired)

 

Uncontracted: Hassan Khan (Pakistan), Muhammad Rizwan (Pakistan), Nathan Lyon, Will Salzmann, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert (New Zealand), Matthew Spoors, Adam Zampa

Head coach Cameron White has jumped ship to crosstown rivals Melbourne Stars during a turbulent off-season for Victoria's Big Bash clubs, with dual Australia and New Zealand international Luke Ronchi to take the reins in BBL|16. Australian white-ball star Adam Zampa is a free agent, and his Renegades future is uncertain after his three-year deal expired at the end of the season. Zampa is prepared to explore his options and as many as four rival clubs had shown interest in the leg-spinner.

The Renegades secured big-hitting opener Josh Brown with a two-year contract extension a few days before the embargo and fast bowler Tom Rogers has added an extra season to his deal after missing their entire BBL|15 campaign following shoulder surgery. But emerging seamer Fergus O'Neill has been lured north to Sydney Sixers after struggling to break into the 'Gades side.

Test spinner Nathan Lyon is a free agent having not played a single game for the club during his three-year contract due to his international commitments. Gurinder Sandhu, BBL|15's joint leading wicket-taker during the regular season with 18, is also out of contract, but fast bowler Sam Elliott has been signed after finishing strong last season with a career-best four-wicket haul against eventual BBL|15 champions Perth Scorchers.

The Renegades were the first movers at the lifting of the contract embargo period, signing leg-spinner Michael Archer on a one-year deal. The 29-year-old featured in the Renegades' final game of BBL|15 as a local replacement, with a hat-trick in the recent Top End T20 Series in Darwin furthering his push towards a full BBL contract. Callum Stow has similarly bolstered the spin stocks after inking a one-year deal, with Elliott earning his first full-time BBL contract after playing the past two seasons for the 'Gades as a local replacement player.

Melbourne Stars

Head coach: Cameron White

 

Contracted for BBL|16: Austin Anlezark (contracted until BBL|16), Hilton Cartwright (BBL|17), Sam Harper (BBL|17), Liam Hatcher (BBL|16), Campbell Kellaway (BBL|17), Glenn Maxwell (BBL|17), Tom Rogers (BBL|16), Peter Siddle (BBL|16), Marcus Stoinis (BBL|16), Mitch Swepson (BBL|17)

 

In: Todd Murphy (BBL|16)

 

Uncontracted: Scott Boland, Joe Clarke (England), Tom Curran (England), Sam Hain (England), Blake Macdonald, Hamish McKenzie, Jon Merlo, Haris Rauf (Pakistan), Aryan Sharma, Mark Steketee, Tom Whitney

The Stars left it late but champion allrounder Glenn Maxwell is secure until the end of BBL|17 after agreeing to terms for another two seasons, the mercurial allrounder knocking back big money offers from rivals to stay loyal to the club.

The 37-year-old headlined a flurry of Stars re-signings prior to the contracting deadline, with reigning BBL player of the tournament Sam Harper, allrounder Hilton Cartwright and emerging left-hander Campbell Kellaway all putting pen to paper for another two seasons.

Veteran Peter Siddle will play on past the age of 42 following another excellent season, with young quick Austin Anlezark to benefit from his guidance after also adding another year to his contract. The Stars have since added Victorian off-spinner Todd Murphy, who will join forces with leggie Mitch Swepson after spending five years with the Sixers.

Captain Marcus Stoinis has another season to go on his three-year deal, while Swepson has two after joining the club during last year's player movement window. The leg-spinner bowled superbly in his debut season with the Stars, taking eight wickets and conceding just 7.30 runs per over.

Australian Test paceman Scott Boland is out of contract but hasn't played a Big Bash match in the past two seasons, as is Mark Steketee, who missed BBL|15 with a hamstring injury but was their leading wicket-taker the season prior.

The Stars are one of five BBL teams with a new coach this season with Cameron White defecting from the Renegades to the MCG-based club, taking over from Englishman Peter Moores, who will remain with Stars to see out the final year of his contract in a director of coaching role.

Perth Scorchers

Head coach: Adam Voges

 

Contracted for BBL|16: Ashton Agar (contracted until BBL|17), Mahli Beardman (BBL|16), Cooper Connolly (BBL|16), Aaron Hardie (BBL|17), Calvin Harrison (BBL|16), Mitch Marsh (BBL|17), Lance Morris (BBL|16), Joel Paris (BBL|16), Jhye Richardson (BBL|16), Ashton Turner (BBL|18)

 

In: Calvin Harrison (England)

 

Out: Matthew Kelly (retired)

 

Uncontracted: Finn Allen (New Zealand), Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Laurie Evans (England), Sam Fanning, Nick Hobson, Luke Holt, Josh Inglis, Bryce Jackson, David Payne (England), Corey Rocchiccioli

Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis is a free agent after he was unable to agree to terms with the Scorchers prior to the contracting embargo. No doubt the club would love to get both him and Kiwi blaster Finn Allen back for BBL|16 when the embargo lifts after they played key roles in the BBL|15 Final win to secure the club's record-extending sixth men's title.

While Allen is yet to put pen to paper, the Scorchers have signed English leg-spinner Calvin Harrison to signal their first international signing ahead of BBL|16. Harrison was a key figure in Trent Rocket's finals berth in The Hundred earlier this year, impressing under Rockets assistant and Scorchers head coach Adam Voges to land a BBL contract.

Experienced fast bowler Matt Kelly has called time on his decorated career with the Scorchers, while Brody Couch, who played in the decider against the Sixers, remains out of contract. But the Scorchers' future is secure with young guns Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson all locked away, as are senior heads Ashton Turner, Mitch Marsh, Ashton Agar and Joel Paris.

Sydney Sixers

Head coach: Matthew Mott

 

Contracted for BBL|16: Sean Abbott (contracted until BBL|16), Joel Davies (BBL|16), Ollie Davies (BBL|18), Ben Dwarshuis (BBL|17), Jack Edwards (BBL|16), Hayden Kerr (BBL|16), Fergus O'Neill (BBL|17), Josh Philippe (BBL|16), Lachlan Shaw (BBL|16), Jordan Silk (BBL|17), Steve Smith (BBL|16)

 

Ins: Ollie Davies (Thunder), Fergus O'Neill (Renegades)

 

Outs: Kane Richardson (retired), Moises Henriques (retired), Todd Murphy (Stars)

 

Uncontracted: Babar Azam (Pakistan), Jafer Chohan (England), Sam Curran (England), Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Riley Kingsell, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry, Jake Scott, Harjas Singh, Mitchell Starc, Charlie Stobo

Sydney Sixers have been the league's most active club in the off-season, with former world-beating Australian women's coach Matthew Mott appointed their new head coach after they parted ways with the long-serving Greg Shipperd at the end of BBL|15. The Sixers initially appointed James Hopes to replace Shipperd, but he was released to fill the dual Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat head coach roles after Johan Botha resigned in June.

The Sixers have also been active in the player market, signing Ollie Davies to a three-year deal who will reunite with his brother, Joel, in magenta. They also lured Fergus O'Neill from the Renegades during the player movement window with a two-year contract. 

Meanwhile, two-time championship-winning skipper Moises Henriques has announced his retirement from Australian domestic cricket. Mitchell Starc is a free agent following a sensational Big Bash comeback in the second half of BBL|15 to help the Sixers reach the Final. But the star left-armer's availability will be limited next season with Australia to tour India for five Tests in January immediately following the home summer.

Steve Smith, however, is signed on for BBL|16, as is the most prolific men's bowler in the competition's history, Sean Abbott. Middle-order batter Jordan Silk lost his place in the side towards the end of the season but recently committed to the Sixers until the end of BBL|17. Breakout stars Joel Davies and Lachy Shaw will also be back next season, as will wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, while prolific left-armer Ben Dwarshuis is signed until the end of BBL|17. Veteran batter Daniel Hughes and off-spinner Ben Manenti are the other notable free agents after Victorian Todd Murphy returned home to sign with the Stars.

Sydney Thunder

Head coach: Andrew Flintoff

 

Contracted for BBL|16: Cameron Bancroft (BBL|17), Sam Billings (BBL|16), Matt Gilkes (BBL|17), Chris Green (BBL|16), Ryan Hadley (BBL|17), Sam Konstas (BBL|18), Aidan O'Connor (BBL|16), Daniel Sams (BBL|17), Tanveer Sangha (BBL|17), David Warner (BBL|16)

 

Uncontracted: Wes Agar, Charlie Anderson, Tom Andrews, Ravichandran Ashwin (India), Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand), Shadab Khan (Pakistan), Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Reece Topley (England), David Willey (England)

 

Out: Ollie Davies (Sydney Sixers)

The Thunder's biggest coup this off-season has been off-field when they lured England legend Andrew Flintoff to be their new men's coach. Flintoff returns to the Big Bash after a playing stint with the Heat in BBL|04, replacing Trevor Bayliss who the club parted ways with following last season's bottom-of-the-table finish. The decorated coach had led the Thunder for five seasons, making finals on three occasions between two last-placed finishes.

David Warner will play on into his forties with Sydney Thunder after putting pen to paper on a one-year extension for BBL|16. Warner has been in imperious touch since joining the Big Bash full-time following his international retirement and finished the BBL|15 regular season as the competition's leading run-scorer with 433 at an average of 86.60.

The Thunder's second top run-scorer of the season, Matthew Gilkes, will also be back after he and fast bowler Ryan Hadley each re-signed for two years in deals that were announced on deadline day. English wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings, who signed a three-year deal in 2024, is the only overseas player currently contracted beyond this season, and forms one of the Thunder's 10 list spots filled prior to the player movement window.

Pat Cummins is the biggest name off-contract after again joining the group as a marquee supplementary player, but Australia has a hectic Test schedule next January with a five-Test tour of India immediately following the home summer. Experienced quicks Wes Agar and Nathan McAndrew, as well as senior batter Nic Maddinson, are among the other Thunder free agents.