Big Bash League on Seven: guide

The Big Bash League returns to Seven tonight when Sydney Thunder take on Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

Seven’s commentary team consists of Ricky Ponting, Damien Fleming, Mel McLaughlin, James Brayshaw, Greg Blewett, Brad Hodge, Lisa Sthalekar, Trent Copeland, Elyse Villani, Abbey Gelmi, Jason Richardson, Andy Maher, Jim Wilson, Alister Nicholson and Erin Holland.

Australian Test captain  Tim Paine will also join the Seven team, along with former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum.

In a grudge match bound to ensure BBL|09 starts with a blast, the Heat will unveil one of the competition’s most explosive batting line-ups with captain Chris Lynn, Max Bryant and English young gun Tom Banton. But they will have to wait until next month before unleashing this year’s biggest international signing, South African great AB de Villiers.

The Thunder have enormous firepower too, however, with Usman Khawaja, big-hitting Englishman Alex Hales and captain Callum Ferguson, while former Heat stroke-maker Alex Ross is sure to get a hostile reception when he returns to the Gabba for the first time.

Tuesday night’s season opener kicks off 45 BBL matches on Seven in 2019-20, including all marquee games and finals. It also headlines a massive opening week that includes:

• Wednesday night: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers
• Thursday night: Reigning BBL champions Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder
• Friday double-header: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers; followed by Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars
• Sunday double-header: Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes; followed by Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat.

This season, the competition’s fixture has undergone a significant revamp. The regular season has been condensed to run for 12 fewer days while maintaining the same number of games; and the finals series has been expanded from three to five games, with the top two teams now enjoying the ‘double chance’.

BBL|09 will welcome a host of international stars including de Villers and fellow South Africans all-time bowling great Dale Steyn (Melbourne Stars) and all-rounder David Miller (Hobart Hurricanes), along with Englishmen Chris Jordan (Perth Scorchers), Alex Hales (Sydney Thunder), Phil Salt (Adelaide Strikers) and Liam Livingstone (Scorchers).

The biggest signing, however, is Steve Smith by the Sydney Sixers, although the world’s best batsman’s international commitments with Australia mean he won’t be available until late in the BBL season.

There’s also no shortage of big names switching teams this season, including:
• Shaun Marsh (Melbourne Renegades, via Perth Scorchers)
• Cameron White (Adelaide Strikers, via Melbourne Renegades)
• Nathan Coulter-Nile (Melbourne Stars, via Perth Scorchers)
• Ben Laughlin (Brisbane Heat, via Adelaide Strikers)
• Fawad Ahmed (Scorchers, via Renegades)
• Jackson Bird (Sydney Sixers, via Melbourne Stars).

Cricket fans can keep up to date with all this summer’s action by following @7Cricket on social. With match updates, interviews and features, @7Cricket is the place to get your cricket fix.

Tuesday December 17
BBL – Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder
Sydney 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Melbourne 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Brisbane 6.00pm Live on 7mate, 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Adelaide 6.30pm Live on 7mate, 6.40pm Live on Channel 7
Perth 4.00pm Live on 7mate

Wednesday December 18
BBL – Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers
Sydney 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Melbourne 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Brisbane 6.00pm Live on 7mate, 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Adelaide 6.30pm Live on 7mate, 6.40pm Live on Channel 7
Perth 4.00pm Live on 7mate

Thursday December 19
BBL – Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder
Sydney 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Melbourne 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Brisbane 6.00pm Live on 7mate, 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Adelaide 6.30pm Live on 7mate, 6.40pm Live on Channel 7
Perth 4.00pm Live on 7mate

Friday December 20
BBL – Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers
Sydney 2.30pm Live on Channel 7
Melbourne 2.30pm Live on Channel 7
Brisbane 1.30pm Live on Channel 7
Adelaide 2.00pm Live on Channel 7
Perth 11.30am Live on Channel 7

Friday December 20
BBL – Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars
Sydney 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Melbourne 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Brisbane 6.00pm Live on 7mate, 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Adelaide 6.30pm Live on 7mate, 6.40pm Live on Channel 7
Perth 4.00pm Live on 7mate

Sunday December 22
BBL – Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes
Sydney 2.30pm Live on Channel 7
Melbourne 2.30pm Live on Channel 7
Brisbane 1.30pm Live on Channel 7
Adelaide 2.00pm Live on Channel 7
Perth 11.30am Live on Channel 7

Sunday December 22
BBL – Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat
Sydney 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Melbourne 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Brisbane 6.00pm Live on 7mate, 7.00pm Live on Channel 7
Adelaide 6.30pm Live on 7mate, 6.40pm Live on Channel 7
Perth 4.00pm Live on 7mate