Matthew Short, 23 | Adelaide Strikers

Short's long stand ends in unbeaten ton

WE SAY: After playing six games in four seasons with the Melbourne Renegades, Matt Short looks a shrewd signing by the reigning BBL champions. A tall right-handed batter who also bowls off-spin, the allrounder had become something of a veteran for Cricket Australia XI tour match teams before greater opportunities in his home state of Victoria materialised. He underlined his talent with an unbeaten century against England last summer and he’s given glimpses of his capability in white-ball cricket without yet managing a breakout performance. Now eager for greater opportunity, Short could get exactly that in Adelaide, with skipper Travis Head to miss a decent chunk of the tournament with national duties.

THEY SAY: "There's a lot of energy, a lot of buzz around the group. I'm just keen to get started. Everyone's so excited coming off the win last year, the energy there is going to create that environment to succeed again. One of the main reasons I came across was to find a bit more game time. Hopefully I can push for selection every game." - Matt Short

Max Bryant, 19 | Brisbane Heat

Bryant goes bananas against South Australia

WE SAY: It takes something special to separate the Bash Brothers but so highly thought of is Max Bryant that Chris Lynn has flagged the possibility of dropping down to No.3 to accommodate him. A stout right-hander whose belligerent approach to batting has shades of Lynn, Bryant burst onto the domestic scene during Queensland's JLT One-Day Cup campaign in October, blasting a 23-ball fifty against South Australia. It was the state's fastest-ever half-century and potentially a taste of things to come in teal this summer.

THEY SAY: "He's an exciting young player. He's obviously still very raw but the way he can grab momentum up the top of the order is huge in one-day cricket … hopefully I can build some partnerships and a strong relationship with him, because I think moving forward he's going to be a big player for Queensland Cricket." Chris Lynn

Aaron Summers, 22 | Hobart Hurricanes

Hurricanes firebrand brings speed to Darwin

WE SAY: There's nothing that excites cricket fans quite like express pace and there's a been a rare buzz that's followed Aaron Summers in his unique journey around the country. Having only switched from baseball to cricket as a 13-year-old, the right-armer has had playing stints in Perth, Darwin and Melbourne before settling in Hobart after earning playing contracts with Tasmania and the Hurricanes, with whom he got a brief taste of the Big Bash last summer. With a stated goal of hitting the 160kph barrier and a fondness for a KFC Zinger Boxes, Summers could develop a cult following this season.

THEY SAY: "Being able to bowl quick every day and every time I bowl (is an area for improvement), and then I’m trying to get quicker as well. I’m probably late 140s or 150, but blokes like (Brett) Lee and (Shoaib) Akhtar were bowling 160 (kph), so (I’ll) try and push it to get closer to that level because obviously it is possible." – Aaron Summers

Mackenzie Harvey, 18 | Melbourne Renegades

Harvey's heroics stun England with explosive half-century

WE SAY: One of a number of young Victorians the Renegades have snapped up for the coming summer, Mackenzie Harvey is a young batter with big raps. The nephew of former Australia allrounder Ian, Harvey spanked four sixes against a strong England attack earlier this year before making his Victoria debut during the JLT Cup in October. With Renegades openers Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris away on Test duties, the young left-hander could be thrown in the deep end early on.

THEY SAY: "He’s a very talented batter and a brilliant fielder. He’s a good ball striker, a left-hander – that appeals for us, we haven’t got many left-handers and now we’ve lost Marcus Harris as well –so that gives us a different option.He hits the ball into different areas and possesses power to clear the ropes." ­– Andrew McDonald (told News Ltd.)

Sandeep Lamichhane, 18 | Melbourne Stars

QUICK SINGLE Trailblazing teenager impresses in IPL debut

WE SAY: Lamichhane only turned 18 in August but the leg-spinner has already achieved more than many have accomplished over an entire career. When Michael Clarke spotted him in a Hong Kong T20 tournament, the former Aussie skipper flew the then 16-year-old to Sydney to play Premier Cricket. A bit over a year later, he became the first Nepalese player to earn an IPL contract before helping his nation win their first ever ODI in August. The Stars liked what they saw, signing up Lamichhane to form a potent wrist-spinning one-two punch with Adam Zampa this summer.

THEY SAY: "It is a dream come true because I always desired to play in the BBL. The conditions are really going to be challenging for me while playing in Australia but it's great when you learn that you are going to realise this dream. I am hopeful that I can give good performance and make this opportunity count. There are too many talents in our country and hope it can open doors for other Nepali cricketers as well." – Sandeep Lamichhane

Cameron Green, 19 | Perth Scorchers

Green tears apart Tigers on debut

WE SAY: Green faces an uphill battle to get a look-in at the Scorchers this summer given their fast-bowling riches, but the BBL's most successful club haven't hesitated to blood young talent in their short history. Those in the west already know what he's capable of; in seven Sheffield Shield games for WA, Green already has 25 wickets. Standing nearly two metres and more-than-handy with the bat, the strapping allrounder is a rare prospect – could he be another ready-made player straight off the Scorchers' production line?

THEY SAY: "I would like to say I'm 'genuine' (allrounder) in my age group, but I've been picked for WA as a bowler, with my batting handy lower down the order. At the Warriors, I've got Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, who are both genuine allrounders, so having them around the squad is added competition but it's awesome just to bounce ideas off them both." – Cameron Green

Josh Philippe, 21 | Sydney Sixers

Philippe thrives against Rabada and Steyn

WE SAY: Philippe, an opening bat and part-time keeper, was a last-minute signing by the Sixers after backflipping on staying in Perth, with the Scorchers unable to offer him a guaranteed deal. The baby-faced right-hander provides some extra firepower to a side that has lost Nic Maddinson and Jason Roy over the off-season after an underwhelming BBL|07. Another to impress in a tour match against England last summer (in which he refused to take a backward step against legendary quick Jimmy Anderson, Philippe backed it up with a maiden first-class ton against Victoria in October before posting a half-century for the Prime Minister's XI against South Africa later that month. Tipped by those in the know to have something special about him, Philippe could emerge as an important player for the Sixers this season.

THEY SAY: "He’s an amazing young talent, he’s fearless and I love the way he goes about it and takes the game on. He’s got a really good technique as well. He’s got a really bright future. He’s a really good young kid and loves learning and playing so it’s exciting, not only for WA cricket but hopefully Australian cricket in the future as well." – Shaun Marsh

Jason Sangha, 19 | Sydney Thunder

Stylish Sangha notches maiden Shield hundred

WE SAY: Long tipped as the next big thing of Australian cricket, the former national U19 skipper has started to deliver on his promise. After a tour-match ton against England last summer, he followed it up with a maiden Shield century for NSW last month. While his batting is highly-rated, Sangha's leg-spin has also come on in recent months, picking up three wickets against Victoria in October, an extra string to his bow that could give him an edge when it comes to earning a spot at the Thunder.

THEY SAY: "I was a Sydney Thunder supporter from when they first came out. With all the great guys we’ve got in the squad, I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see Joe Root and Jos Buttler, I’ve grown up watching these guys and they’re my idols. I can’t wait to pick their brains about how to bat and hopefully I can try and bat like them." – Jason Sangha