The Australian summer of cricket is about to ramp up, and the 2015 Big Bash League is about to begin. Featuring many of the top stars in world cricket, it will bring a party atmosphere to major centres across the continent over Christmas and the New Year and put the spotlight on the T20 game.

Marketed as a ‘Festival of Boom’ for the 2015/2016 season, it will be an all-action, party-like atmosphere with fireworks and cheerleaders. The first game, between local rivals Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers, begins on Thursday 17th of December, in Sydney.

The teams competing are:

Sydney Thunder

Adelaide Strikers

Brisbane Heat

Sydney Sixers

Melbourne Stars

Perth Scorchers

Hobart Hurricanes

Melbourne Renegades

These eight sides will contest the competition again, and each brings their own class of 2015/2016.

PERTH SCORCHERS — Captain: Adam Voges | Coach: Justin Langer | Ground: WACA (Western Australian Cricket Association ground) Perth

Reigning champions Perth Scorchers will hope to be the leading side again, with a good mix of local Western Australian talent mixed with two English imports in David Willey and Michael Carberry. They will hope the fire in the WACA ground helps them to “burn” many opposing sides.

SYDNEY THUNDER — Captain: Michael Hussey | Coach: Paddy Upton | Ground: Sydney Showground Stadium

Competing out of the city at the Showgrounds in Homebush, this solid team is lead by Michael Hussey and is complimented by Shane Watson. Add in Jacques Kallis and you have some hitting power that must make up for the loss of Chris Gayle, who heads to the Melbourne Renegades.

This side have a good wealth of the New South Wales cricket squad spread through the ranks — as do the Renegades — with the Thunder having potential in young Alister McDermott; son of Aussie great Craig McDermott, beside Pat Cummins. Look for these men to lead a strong bowling side.

ADELAIDE STRIKERS — Captain: Brad Hodge | Coach: Jason Gillespie | Ground: Adelaide Oval

Growth in the Adelaide attendance may see 30,000 plus audiences watching games at the Oval. Fans will enjoy the sunset as the lights take over and the action ‘lights up’. Skippered by Brad Hodge, he will hope he can have support in putting up big scores from Kieron Pollard and the evergreen Mahela Jayawardene.

The only concern for the Strikers will be in their bowling, as the pitch does accept late seam and only Pollard or Gary Putland could maximise what little assistance there may be from the conditions. Opposition bowlers may take more advantage out of the late-swing than the home side, meaning that there will be a reliance on the batsmen to even things out.

BRISBANE HEAT — Captain: James Hopes | Coach: Daniel Vettori | Ground: The GABBA — Brisbane Cricket Ground

The late withdrawal of Brendon McCullum has removed some firepower from the Queensland team. The best players from the state side will represent the northern team well. Built on the leadership of James Hope, the all-rounder must bring together the group and trust that Zimbabwean Llendl Simmons can pick up the mantle McCullum always carried.

Another test will be on new coach Daniel Vettori. The long-serving Heat player now must direct his players from the sidelines as he begins a new career path in cricket.

SYDNEY SIXERS — Captain: Brad Haddin | Coach: Greg Shipperd | Ground: Sydney Cricket Ground

The second of the Sydney teams, the Brad Haddin-led side will be hard to beat at home as strike bowler Sean Abbott will have a major role to play. While Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc will only turn out when not on Test duty, that is still a lethal attack and they will rely on taking wickets over the season. As well as relying on their performances with the ball, they will want Michael Lumb to continue his long-running successful relationship with the Sixers and score heavily.

MELBOURNE STARS — Captain: David Hussey | Coach: Stephen Fleming | Ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground

Possibly the most senior side in the league, the first of the Melbourne teams is well coached and with such experience both on and off the field, could be the smartest side in 2015. With David Hussey now in his forties, he will be looking to score more runs over than fence than have to run singles. With key import Kevin Pietersen at the other end, they may score in fours and sixes if these men get into early form.

HOBART HURRICANES — Captain: George Bailey | Coach: Damian Wright | Ground: Bellerive Oval, Hobart

This side have invested well in former West Indies captain Darren Sammy and in the big-hitting Kumar Sangakkara. If they can mount big scores, the likes of Shaun Tait can come in and take wickets — obvious, but critical in the short game. The toss will be a major contributor as well, as conditions and team strengths play a part in strategy.

MELBOURNE RENEGADES — Captain: Aaron Finch | Coach: David Saker | Ground: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

Possibly the ‘little brother’ in the Victoria State rivalry, this team make up for that status with big hitter Finch leading his All Star side to bigger things in 2015.

The big hitting will probably come from Chris Gayle, but look for some local players to maintain good scores and for their bowlers to work well as a unit — James Pattinson will only be available in between Test matches, so if they can put in performances as a team instead of relying on individual brilliance, the Renegades might travel well.

As mentioned, traditional ‘rivalry matches’ between the two Melbourne and two Sydney teams will comprise two matches this season. Critical for teams hoping to qualify for the play-offs will be the travel factor. After several years of competition, franchises now realize the logistics and besides the odd weekend double-header, match turnaround should be familiar to both International and State players.

Formed in 2011 to compete against the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Big Bash League has entertained thousands of Aussie fans with locals and imported players from across the globe. That trend continues in 2015/2016 as the world’s best players converge on the powerhouse of world cricket.

With India and England, the triumvirate of three cricketing bodies now dominate the political will of the ICC. They have determined that the Big Bash will sit alongside the IPL and the emerging Natwest T20 Blast competition in England over the calendar year. In having three premier events staged across the globe they can promote this sport to a wide market. A great product that is compressed into only four hours, the T20 format is both entertaining and suits the hot evenings in Australia’s ever-lasting summer.

Changes to the current format include a new salary cap increase. Now set at $1.30 million for 2015, an increase of $100,000 compared to previous season, the teams will be able to attract the top players more easily. Under $1.30 million salary cap, a team can sign a total of 18 contracted players consisting of a minimum of two rookie contracts and maximum of two overseas players.

As much as the finance is controlling the participants, the action on the pitch will only be determined by the players involved. With plenty of motivation and ‘bragging rights’ over their peers, the players will all put their best foot forward.

Note: In 2015, Australian Cricket have also developed a Women’s Big Bash League with eight new teams that will look to create history and support many men’s games as ‘curtain raiser’ matches. This competition in itself will be entertaining enough, but if that is followed by the men’s game, it becomes an awesome night of cricket.

First ball bowled this Thursday. Good luck to all sides.