It’s hard to go past the star power set to light up the second edition of the Big Bash League, led by Shane Warne and his long-time rival Muttiah Muralitharan.
And with a new TV deal to be negotiated after this summer, Cricket Australia is hoping fans vote with their feet and their remote controls between December 7 and January 19.
Murali’s Melbourne Renegades host the Warne-led Melbourne Stars in Friday’s bumper tournament opener at Etihad Stadium.
A big crowd – maybe even a competition record of 43,000 – is expected to see the two 40-somethings who boast over 1500 Test wickets between them go around again.
Murali regards Warne as simply a great bowler.
“We don’t have a competition between us, but the thing is we will compete with the batsmen,” said the Sri Lankan great.
“We’re in the side to take wickets.
“Age doesn’t matter as long as you are performing.”
The Stars are expected to improve on their semi-final showing last season and qualify for the final, which leads to a spot in the lucrative Champions League (CL).
Defending BBL champions and CL winners the Sydney Sixers are regarded as the Stars’ biggest threat.
Former internationals Brad Haddin and Brett Lee help make the Sixers formidable opponents, but the Stars have the firepower to match them.
Pace bowlers Jackson Bird and Sri Lanka import Lasith Malinga and a batting lineup that includes David Hussey and Brad Hodge put the Stars at the top of the pile.
Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes, whose top-order batting includes ex-Test skipper Ricky Ponting, present strong challenges on paper for top-four spots.
Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades were the bottom two teams last summer and need to show dramatic improvement to be competitive with the big boys.
Perth Scorchers – finalists last summer – will go into this tournament under the radar following an unsuccessful and boozy CL in South Africa in October.
The Thunder need Usman Khawaja and Mark Cosgrove to provide strong batting support for West Indies master blaster Chris Gayle.
The Renegades have lost key batsmen Hodge and Glenn Maxwell to the Stars, with Tasmania’s Alex Doolan expected to step up in their absence.
The Hurricanes, with Ponting, George Bailey and Tim Paine, boast a solid batting lineup.
Opener Phil Hughes looms as the main man for the Strikers, while the Heat are desperately hoping paceman Ryan Harris can overcome a shoulder injury to team up with fellow quick Mitchell Johnson.
“If you have injuries or Australian selections you just have to cope with it,” Heat coach Darren Lehmann told AAP.
“That’s probably why we’ve gone with a better bowling attack than most other teams.
“But we know we have to bat well to get a long way in the tournament.
“If you start well that gets you momentum in a tournament where there’s only eight games.”
Australia’s long love affair with West Indies players is set to continue.
Gayle will take on Sydney Sixers’ spinner Sunil Narine in their cross-town derbies, while Kieron Pollard (Strikers), Kemar Roach (Heat) and World T20 final man-of-the-match Marlon Samuels (Renegades) are also expected to play key roles for their respective sides.
South African pace spearhead Dale Steyn will play one game for Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on Sunday against Ponting’s Hurricanes.