Big Bash League: Smith returns and De Villiers set for debut in revamped tournament
Steve Smith will make a long-awaited Big Bash League return and AB de Villiers should ignite the Brisbane Heat in a shortened tournament with a new finals format.
Smith, the best Test batsman in the world, will feature in the competition for the first time since 2014 after rejoining the Sydney Sixers.
Maverick former South Africa batsman De Villiers will make his BBL debut for a Heat side who have been installed as bookmakers' favourites, with former Australia boss Darren Lehmann returning as head coach.
The Melbourne Renegades are expected to mount a strong challenge to retain a title they won in February with a derby defeat of Melbourne Stars, who have will Dale Steyn in their attack for six matches.
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There will also be a welcome return for Glenn Maxwell, back in action for the Stars after taking a break to deal with personal mental health issues.
Here, we examine teams and players to look out for and explain changes to the schedule for the 2019-20 edition, which gets under way when the Heat face the Thunder at The Gabba on Tuesday.
The Stars were starting to party. The @renegadesBBL were dead and buried. And then everything changed…
It’s almost time for the champs to begin their title defence #BBL09 #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/EoDEiwgJm8
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 13, 2019
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FINALS REVAMP PART OF SCHEDULE CHANGE
There were calls for change due to dwindling crowds in an eighth edition of the tournament that dragged on too long.
Cricket Australia has taken note of criticism, reducing the length of the competition from 54 to 42 days and revamping the finals format.
There will be 15 days with two matches played in order to cut the length of the BBL.
Five of the eight teams will reach the finals rather than four, with the sides in first and second place at the end of the regular season having two chances to reach the final.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER FOR SMITH
Sixers fans have had to wait a long time to see Smith in their side and they will have to hope his arrival does not come when their title chances are over.
The former Australia captain, part of the Sixers squad that won the inaugural Big Bash in January 2012, will not be available until the back end of the competition due to Australia commitments.
Josh Hazlewood is also scheduled to join the Sixers after featuring for Australia following the Test series against New Zealand and ODIs in India, with the hope he will be fully fit after suffering a hamstring injury in the first Test against the Black Caps.
MARSH AND NEW COACH CAN HELP RENEGADES KLING ON TO TITLE
Michael Klinger took over as Renegades coach after Andrew McDonald was appointed Australia assistant coach in October.
McDonald will be a hard act to follow, but the addition of batsman Shaun Marsh is a big coup for the defending champions.
Disciplined bowling was key to their maiden BBL triumph and they have managed to retain left-arm seamer Harry Gurney, while big things will be expected of Kane Richardson once again.
HEAT SHOULD WARM TO THE TASK UNDER LEHMANN
Brisbane handed Lehmann his first role coaching role since he quit as Australia boss following the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in March 2018. Lehmann was cleared of involvement in that ploy.
Lehmann, who replaces Daniel Vettori, oversaw the Heat's 2012-13 Big Bash title success and it would be no surprise if he celebrates a repeat.
De Villiers will make his debut for Brisbane, while explosive England batsman Tom Banton, Ben Laughlin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Zahir Khan are also exciting additions.