In total there are 15 Englishmen competing in this year’s Big Bash with every single team having at least one in their squad.
Tom Abell – Brisbane Heat
Abell signed for Brisbane Heat as a replacement for fellow Somerset teammate Tom Banton who dropped out of the competition due to bubble and quarantine concerns. Abell’s stock as a T20 batter has risen considerably over recent years, and he has become renowned for his ramp shot, with Jos Buttler even searching out for his advice ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Sam Billings – Sydney Thunder
Billings is a veteran of many franchise T20 leagues around the world and previously played for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. However, he swapped the pink of Sixers for the green of the Sydney Thunder last season and will continue at the same side this season..
Harry Brook – Hobart Hurricanes
The 22-year-old had a home summer to remember as he scored 486 runs for Yorkshire in the T20 Blast at an outstanding strike-rate of 149.07 and 189 runs in The Hundred at a strike-rate of 153.65. Brook will join up with the Hobart Hurricanes once his time with the England Lions is over.
Joe Clarke – Melbourne Stars
This is the second time Clarke has been a part of the Big Bash after playing three times for the Perth Scorchers in last year’s competition. Widely considered as one of the best uncapped players in England, Clarke improved his T20 reputation over the home summer with a stunning 136 off 65 balls for Nottinghamshire against Northamptonshire.
Tom Curran – Sydney Sixers
This is Curran’s third year with the Sydney Sixers and whilst he may only be 26 years old he is already a veteran of the circuit, with 153 T20s to his name. Curran will see this competition as a chance to press his claim for a place in the England squad that will visit Australia for a World Cup next year.
Ben Duckett – Brisbane Heat
This is Duckett’s first time in the Big Bash having had previous overseas experience with Islamabad United in the PSL and the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants in the South African Mzansi Super League. Duckett was the second leading run-scorer in this year’s Hundred competition, hitting 232 runs for Welsh Fire.
Laurie Evans – Perth Scorchers
Evans has played in a number of franchise tournaments over the years and had a phenomenal Lanka Premier League last year, scoring 289 runs at an average of 57.80 and with a strike-rate of 170. This is his first time featuring in the Big Bash.
George Garton – Adelaide Strikers
Garton secured a contract with the Adelaide Strikers after a fantastic season for Sussex and Southern Brave. He has a number of strong links with the Strikers having previously been coached by Jason Gillespie at Sussex and also played with the likes of Travis Head, Alex Carey and Rashid Khan on the south coast.
Alex Hales – Sydney Thunder
One of the hottest properties on the T20 circuit, Hales was the leading run scorer in the previous edition of the Big Bash, scoring 543 runs, including one century and three fifties. His century last year came off 51 balls and was part of the highest ever total in Big Bash history of 232-5.
Chris Jordan – Sydney Sixers
A late call-up for this competition as he was chosen to replace the injured Carlos Brathwaite. Jordan has previously played in the Big Bash for Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers.
Saqib Mahmood – Sydney Thunder
One of England’s most exciting fast bowling prospects, this is Mahmood’s first time appearing in the Big Bash. Mahmood’s other franchise experience came in the Pakistan Super League where he performed exceptionally well for Peshawar Zalmi in a competition famed for its high standard of fast bowling.
Tymal Mills – Perth Scorchers
Another late call-up for the competition as Mills was signed to replace the injured Brydon Carse. This will be the third time Mills has appeared in the Big Bash having previously played for Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes.
Reece Topley – Melbourne Renegades
Another player who will be appearing in the competition for the first time, Topley has identified the competition as a chance for him to press his case for selection in next year’s T20 World Cup.
James Vince – Sydney Sixers
Vince was the Sixers’ hero in the last competition scoring 95 in the final to help his side to victory. He finished that season as the second highest run-scorer, finishing on 537 runs and only six behind fellow Englishman Alex Hales. This is Vince’s third season with the Sixers.
Jordan Thompson – Hobart Hurricanes
Like Brook, Thompson impressed for Yorkshire during the summer; the pace-bowling all-rounder averaged 26.87 with the bat in the bats while striking at above 180 and took 14 wickets too.
