The returning stars who’ll reshape the BBL – and why the Scorchers are on track to go back to back

Reigning BBL champions the Perth Scorchers are sitting comfortably in second on the ladder with two games in hand on ladder leaders and 2021-22 runners-up the Sydney Sixers.

It’s business as usual for the Scorchers, who are showing no signs of cracking coming towards the pointy end of the season.

Now the Australian Test summer is over, the inclusion of several star players will be a boost for most of the teams. The Brisbane Heat, who are languishing near the bottom of the ladder, will have their batting strengthened with the return of Marnus Labuschagne as well as Usman Khawaja, who has come across from the Sydney Thunder.

The Sixers welcome back former Aussie captain Steve Smith and spinner Nathan Lyon, while their cross-town rivals the Thunder will see David Warner back in lime green for the first time in almost a decade.

But the Adelaide Strikers will arguably benefit the most from the arrival of the Test players, with Travis Head and Alex Carey both returning. The Strikers have climbed into third position with their last two victories – a mammoth run chase of 230 against the Hobart Hurricanes and a 20-run win over the Melbourne Renegades, who have had a mystery box of performances so far this season.

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Adding Head and Carey into the mix with the likes of Chris Lynn and Matt Short, who are both hitting their straps at the right time, could see them as a genuine contender when the finals roll around.

But Adelaide will still miss their superstar import Rashid Khan, who has gone back to Afghanistan for national duties. It also remains to be seen if stalwart Peter Siddle can manage any injury concerns to play an important role in the finals.

But even with Adelaide’s all-star cast, the Scorchers are in the strongest position, even without key all-rounder Mitch Marsh thanks to an ankle surgery.

Their team dynamics have seen them once again move to near the top of the table. Josh Inglis and Ashton Turner are contributing with the bat, while their ever-reliable pace trio of Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff are among the top wicket-takers.

Consistency is their mantra, and they look on track to take the title for a second consecutive season.

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