10 players to watch in the 2019-20 Big Bash League

Big Bash League - Players to watch 2019-20

The 2019-20 Big Bash League season is almost upon us, rosters are close to being finalised and some big names have signed on to play in Australia’s top T20 cricket competition. We have cast our eye over each of the eight teams and highlighted who we think can have a major impact on BBL 09 and directly or indirectly turn a profit for punters. Our 10 players to watch in the Big Bash League 09 are:


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Rashid Khan (Adelaide Strikers)

The Afghani leg-spinner would be disappointed with his output at the ODI World Cup in England in 2019, but he is back in more familiar conditions in Australia, where he has dominated the past two BBL seasons. The young, insanely talented leggie has bamboozled many a BBL star and we think he will thrive after his World Cup experience. In two BBL season Khan has taken 37 wickets and remarkably gone for less than six runs per over, making him the ultimate commodity in T20 cricket. Khan is worth considering in betting to top the BBL wicket-takers list. Other Strikers players of interest include Travis Head, who is likely to miss some BBL through Australian commitments, and powerful English opening batsman Phil Salt, who has been hand-picked by coach Jason Gillespie after guiding him at Sussex.

AB De villiers (Brisbane Heat)

South African superstar AB De villiers is surely still too good not to be playing International cricket? We’re very excited the gun batsman is coming out to Australia, with his fierce competitiveness sure to create a few headlines this summer. De villiers is likely to either open or bat at first drop for the Heat, putting him firmly in contention as one of the leading chances to top the run-scorers betting, although his availability for the entire tournament is in question. Keep him safe. South African fans can bet on the Big Bash League at licensed ZA betting sites. Chris Lynn is also fit and eyeing a spot in the Australian T20 team for next year’s World Cup. If he’s at good odds he could be worth a small bet for most runs, having topped the tally in the 2015-16 BBL.

D’Arcy Short (Hobart Hurricanes

While budding superstar international “King” Jofra Archer is signed for the Hurricanes he is unlikely to play any BBL matches this time as he will most likely be on England duties in South Africa. While that’s a shame for cricket fans Down Under, one consolation when watching the Hobart team is the magnificent striker D’Arcy Short. Few though the left-handed opener could improve on his sterling efforts of 2017-18 but he did. He has easily topped the run-scorers in the past two BBLs and has also been named player of the tournament in those years. Expect more of the same as Deadly D’Arcy pushes his case for the T20 World Cup.


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Shaun Marsh (Melbourne Renegades)

One of the greatest Big Bash League players, Shaun Marsh will be seen in Melbourne Renegades colours, after a glittering career with the Perth Scorchers, which included multiple titles. Even though Marsh will be days off 37 when the tournament finishes, he looks to still have plenty to offer at the top of the order for the Renegades. The powerful batsman’s days in the Australian team look to be over, meaning Marsh could be one of the leading run-scorers in this BBL.

Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars)

Clearly one of the most valuable T20 players in Australia, Glenn Maxwell is taking a leave of absence from cricket to focus on his mental health at the start of the home season. While it’s not certain Maxwell will play the Big Bash, if he does we can’t wait to see him take it to the opposition bowlers, after a disappointing 50-over World Cup. Maxwell’s ability to bowl a few overs and his brilliance in the field, combined with his innovative batting, clearly put him in the top players to watch in the upcoming BBL. Prior to taking leave, Maxwell was on song, helping Australia slay Sri Lanka in T20 cricket.

Ashton Turner (Perth Scorchers)

Ashton Turner is a match-winner in the middle order that looks to be entrenched in the Australian team, and will be one of the players to watch in the BBL. Turner has blasted 966 runs at close to 25 in 60 BBL matches, which is below some of the other batsmen on this list, but he is only 26 and coming into his prime. Last season Turner clubbed over 300 runs at an average of over 30. Other players at the Scorchers who will have a huge influence over their fortunes include skipper Mitch Marsh, who faces a delayed start to the summer after breaking his hand, and Ashton Agar, who is firmly in Australia’s T20 plans.

Usman Khawaja (Sydney Thunder)

We suspect Usman Khawaja might spend most of his time playing with the Sydney Thunder, and not the Australian Test team this summer, which means he could be one of the dominant BBL batsmen. Khawaja is elegant but brutal at the same time in the T20 format, with the full array of shots, particularly against the pace bowlers. Khawaja has played only 25 BBL games but has hit close to 1000 runs, at an average of 49. If he plays the full BBL season anything is possible. South African import Chris Morris will be a calming influence in the middle order for the Thunder, while hard-hitting Englishman Alex Hales will also saddle up for the Thunder and could partner Khawaja at the top of the order.

James Vince (Sydney Sixers)

James Vince is a star in T20 cricket and on the fringes of the England set-up. Vince will bat in the top order for the Sixers as he pushes his case for the T20 World Cup, in the conditions the English will face next year. It’s simple: he fires this summer and he will make that tournament. His average of 30 in T20s over close to 200 games shows how consistent Vince is. Fellow Englishman Tom Curran is also an emerging T20 prospect who we think can have a big impact this summer for the Sixers, who are looking to do better than last year’s semi-final. While it might not be their summer to dominate, the Edwards brothers are some potential T20 stars.

Who could emerge as a T20 star this summer?

We all know the real value in sports betting is finding a hidden gem, and in wagering on the BBL it is no different. Imagine being one of the lucky ones who cottoned on to Ben Dunk’s dynamic introduction to T20 cricket early, or to have spotted Rashid Khan before his amazing debut as an 18-year-old for Adelaide. Here we highlight two players to watch that might not be the name on everyone’s lips just yet, but could be by the end of the Australian summer.

Mackenzie Harvey (Melbourne Renegades)

The Melbourne Renegades have several of the most exciting T20 prospects in the country, including Mackenzie Harvey, the nephew of WGL favourite Ian “The Freak” Harvey. The younger Harvey played 12 games last year and din’t set the world on fire. However, he is still only 19 and could explode in his second season at the top of the order for the Renegades. Keep an eye on his odds to top the scorers in certain matches, but don’t expect Harvey to top the leading run-scorers overall this year.

Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers)

One of the best young keeper-batsmen in the country, Josh Philippe has made a spectacular start to his BBL career. Philippe has blasted over 300 runs at an average of 28.2, at a strike rate of over 150, in 16 matches. Still only 22, Philippe is likely to open the batting this season for the Sixers and should offer long odds to top the run-scorers. We think there is no threat of Philippe missing matches through Australian commitments at this point, with Alex Carey seemingly next in line to be the no.1 keeper.

Who do you think will be the top players in BBL 09? Give us your thoughts in the comments box below. No sign-up required!

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1 thought on “10 players to watch in the 2019-20 Big Bash League”

  1. Draco says:

    Maxwell is so overrated, makes more headlines than runs.

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