Adelaide Strikers

Last season Champions

Squad

Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Michael Cormack, David Grant, Travis Head, Colin Ingram (South Africa), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O'Connor, Peter Siddle, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Jonathan Wells, Cameron Valente, Nick Winter

Strength

The balance and miserly nature of the Strikers bowling attack was the key to their title last season. While Rashid Khan won plaudits for his phenomenal spells in the middle overs the Strikers did a lot of damage in the Powerplay on the back of the raw pace of Billy Stanlake combined with the craft, smarts and experience of Peter Siddle and Michael Neser. Ben Laughlin's death bowling has been a potent weapon as well, particularly when defending scores.

Weakness

There is a heavy reliance on the opening pair of Alex Carey and Jake Weatherald. Both men struck important centuries last season, including Weatherald's spectacular effort in the final. But the rest of the order will be tested given Travis Head is likely to be absent for large portions of the tournament, while Carey will miss games mid-tournament due to ODI duty. Colin Ingram filled the breach with a couple of magnificent cameos last summer but Jake Lehmann will need to take a more senior role.

Player to watch

You don't have to be a Strikers fan to enjoy watching Rashid Khan bowl. He has bamboozled batting line-ups all over the world over the last 12 months. He began last year's tournament as a relative unknown in Australia and now returns as a global phenomenon. Opponents will be setting themselves to minimise the legspinner's impact.

Chris Lynn hit his 100th BBL six against the Scorchers Getty Images

Brisbane Heat

Last season 7th

Squad

Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (New Zealand), James Pattinson, James Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan), Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson

Strength

The Bash brothers will hold the key again for the Heat. Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn have provided some extraordinary highlights while working in tandem in Brisbane. They have the ability to take the game away from opponents both individually and as a pair. How they might be deployed is an interesting question? They have opened together but some thought may be given to Lynn batting at No.3. Max Bryant is one to watch. The teenager was explosive in bursts opening in the JLT Cup for Queensland. The other option is a left-hander like Sam Heazlett to slot in between the two power-hitters. Lynn could also be unavailable for a couple of matches mid-tournament with international duty.

Weakness

Bowling wins titles in the BBL as has been proven by the Perth Scorchers consistent success and the Strikers performance last year. The Heat have never been able to get their bowling combination right and have played Russian roulette in some high scoring shoot outs on the fast-scoring Gabba ground. They have signed the express pace of James Pattinson but he hasn't played a lot of T20 in recent years. Shadab Khan is also unavailable so the Heat have gambled on 17-year-old Afghan mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman as a spin option alongside Mitch Swepson.

Player to watch

Chris Lynn's international form for Australia has not matched his enormous reputation as a franchise superstar. He will be eager make a statement in the BBL to build some confidence ahead a potential World Cup berth in 2019. Teams will look to bowl a lot of spin at him, even in the Powerplay, to try and nullify his influence. If he can navigate that, the Heat will have a big season.

Jofra Archer appeals Getty Images

Hobart Hurricanes

Last season Runners-up

Squad

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

Strength

There is no "i" in team but there are five in individual brilliance and the Hurricanes have five match-winners in D'Arcy Short, Jofra Archer, Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott and James Faulkner. Short was Player of the Tournament last year scoring 572 runs. McDermott has scored a BBL hundred in a chase of 223 and dominated last year's semi-final alongside Wade. Faulkner's superpowers have waned somewhat since the 2015 World Cup but he did make some good bowling contributions for Lancashire in the 2018 T20 Blast. Archer was the find of the tournament last year but his recent eligibility for England has will leave the Hurricanes wary of his full availability.

Weakness

The loss of Dan Christian significantly affects the balance of the Hurricanes line-up. Although he has been replaced by Faulkner, Christian is a far superior batsman, with a strike-rate of 135 in BBL cricket compared to Faulkner's 111. Christian has also passed fifty 14 times in all T20 and has two centuries, compared to Faulkner's one half-century. Faulkner is a better bowler by the numbers but the Hurricanes probably need a true allrounder to balance out their side. Christian made vital contributions with bat and ball last season, particularly bowling at the death after Tymal Mills suffered a form slump mid-tournament.

Player to watch

D'Arcy Short will be interesting case study this season. He has taken the last two BBL's by storm but his transition into international cricket has not been as smooth. Teams now have a good grasp on how and where to bowl to the powerful left-hander. Going from a surprise packet to a bankable star also carries with it a different mindset and mental burden that he will need to handle this season.

Mohammad Nabi slugs one down the ground Getty Images

Melbourne Renegades

Last season Semi-finalist

Squad

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

Strength

The Powerplay bowling of Mohammad Nabi could arguably be the Renegades biggest strength this season. Given they play their home games on slower drop-in wickets, spin in the Powerplay will be a critical element to their success. Nabi's bowling in last year's tournament was simply outstanding. Of all players who bowled 20 overs or more in the tournament, his economy rate of 5.76 was only bettered by his Afghanistan team-mate Rashid Khan (5.65) and Ashton Agar (5.74). He will be a fulcrum of the bowling unit allowing the likes of Kane Richardson, Usman Shinwari and possibly Chris Tremain to attack at the other end early on.

Weakness

The reliance on Aaron Finch has always been the Renegades' Achilles heel and this season it is exacerbated with Finch promoted to the Test team. Previously Finch has been a dominant force in the early part of the tournament only to depart the team for ODI duty. This year he is likely to be unavailable throughout most of the tournament. Adding to the top order woes, Marcus Harris will also be away on Test duties for the early part of the BBL.

Player to watch

Dan Christian is a very underrated addition to the Renegades. He has been pivotal player for a number of T20 franchises over a number of years and he was vital to the Hurricanes run to the final last season. Christian's death bowling, skilled fielding and late-over batting more than makes up for the loss of Dwayne Bravo.