Big Bash build-up: around the grounds

Adelaide Strikers | First game: Heat, Dec 19 (Gabba, Brisbane)

The Strikers are set to play a trial match in the Barossa Valley this Sunday which looks likely to feature returning South African import Colin Ingram and Queensland quick Billy Stanlake as the group assembles ahead of their opening match a week later. Star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan has been tuning up for the Big Bash with Durban Heat in the South African T20 competition, having taken five wickets in his past three matches. The Strikers will have to get used to life without Travis Head, who has impressed at Test level, with Ingram – who led the side in last summer's final – or Alex Carey expected to take the captaincy reins.

Squad latest: Travis Head (c), Wes Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Cormack, David Grant, Colin Ingram (OS), Rashid Khan (OS), Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O’Connor, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Nick Winter.

Brisbane Heat | First game: Strikers, Dec 19 (Gabba, Brisbane)

The Heat this week announced that Chris Lynn will replace fellow 'Bash Brother' Brendon McCullum as captain in BBL|08. The franchise also added Bulls coach Wade Seccombe and ex-Kiwi international James Franklin to their coaching support staff under head coach Dan Vettori. Victorian tearaway James Pattinson and 17-year-old Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman have both touched down in the Queensland capital, and will travel with the squad to the Gold Coast for an intra-squad practice match at Metricon Stadium tonight.

Squad latest: Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn (c), Brendon McCullum (int), James Pattinson, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Jack Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (int).

Hobart Hurricanes | First game: Heat, Dec 22 (Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast)

The Hurricanes today announced Matthew Wade to take over as skipper from veteran George Bailey, in a move that replicates the change of leadership with Tasmania in the JLT Sheffield Shield.

"As I said with the Tigers Shield captaincy, I'm more than happy to step into the role because George thought it was the best move for himself and the team," Wade said. "As we've seen over the past fortnight with the Tigers, George being able to focus fully on his batting has been great for us and I'm sure that will transfer into purple."

In other news, Yorkshire head coach Andrew Gale will join the coaching staff under Adam Griffith for BBL|08.

Squad latest: Jofra Archer (OS), George Bailey, Johan Botha, Jake Doran, James Faulkner, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, Tymal Mills (OS), David Moody, Tim Paine, Tom Rogers, Clive Rose, D'Arcy Short, Aaron Summers, Matthew Wade (c).

Melbourne Renegades | First game: Scorchers, Dec 20 (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)

It's been all quiet on the Renegades front of late, since the re-signing of Afghan allrounder Mohammad Nabi last month. The loss of Dwayne Bravo to their crosstown rivals will undoubtedly smart, however the Renegades look to have made a couple of shrewd international acquisitions in Pakistani Usman Khan Shinwari and Englishman Harry Gurney. For the first time, they will be without their star man and skipper Aaron Finch due to Test duties, with Marcus Harris also absent.

Squad latest: Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi (OS), Kane Richardson, Usman Khan Shinwari (OS), Will Sutherland, Chris Tremain, Beau Webster, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth, Harry Gurney (OS)

Melbourne Stars | First game: Thunder, Dec 21 (Manuka Oval, Canberra)

Glenn Maxwell was today unveiled as the Stars' new captain, replacing John Hastings, who was forced into retirement for health reasons. England quick Liam Plunkett was signed earlier this month and while he looks set to bolster the squad as an international replacement, there are injury concerns for last summer's wooden spooners, with Nic Maddinson (fractured ulna), Dan Worrall (back) and Marcus Stoinis (ankle) all nursing problems of varying degrees.

Squad latest: Michael Beer, Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Dwayne Bravo (OS), Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane (OS), Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell (c), Jonathan Merlo, Liam Plunkett (OS), Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa

Perth Scorchers | First game: Renegades, Dec 20 (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)

It's steady-as-she-goes for the three-times winners, who have been quietly preparing for their opening clash in Sydney next week under the watchful eye of new coach Adam Voges. The signing of Pakistani leg-spinner Usman Qadir has been the main talking point of late, while the return of the suspended Cameron Bancroft to playing action has been slated by Voges for December 30 against the Hurricanes.

Squad latest: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Michael Klinger, Mitchell Marsh (c), Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Usman Qadir (OS), Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman, David Willey (OS).

Sydney Sixers | First game: Scorchers, Dec 22 (SCG)

The Sixers completed their roster earlier today with the signing of Greg West, who debuted for New South Wales last week in the JLT Sheffield Shield and previously played a couple of BBL games for the Strikers. In recent weeks, they have also announced the signings of England star Tom Curran and boom WA youngster Josh Philippe.

Squad latest: Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Joe Denly (England), Mickey Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Peter Nevill, Stephen O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, Henry Thornton, Tom Curran (England), Justin Avendano, Dan Fallins, Greg West, Jack Edwards

Sydney Thunder | First game: Stars, Dec 21 (Manuka Oval, Canberra)

The Thunder locked away their squad – complete with two international replacements – last month, finalised with the signing of Tasmania quick Sam Rainbird, who joins former Sixer Daniel Sams as a fresh quick in the group. Jason Sangha and Nathan McAndrew both received upgraded contracts, while all eyes will be on England superstars Jos Buttler and Joe Root.  

Squad latest: Fawad Ahmed, Jos Buttler (OS), Pat Cummins, Callum Ferguson, Ryan Gibson, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Nathan McAndrew, Arjun Nair, Kurtis Patterson, Sam Rainbird, Joe Root (OS), Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Shane Watson, Anton Devcich (OS), Chris Jordan (OS).