The BBL 16 squads are taking shape for the 2026–27 Big Bash season. Cricket Australia’s latest club list shows signed players, new overseas picks and a few open spots.
This page lists the eight teams and their current signed players. It does not call these lists final playing XIs. A match XI is named closer to each game.
Key Takeaways – BBL 16 has eight men’s teams. – The lists below use the latest contracted squad record. – Overseas signings and replacement players are marked. – Some captains and squad places still need club confirmation.
BBL 16 Teams List
| Team | Captain In The Sources | Signed Names |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | Matt Short | 12 |
| Brisbane Heat | Decision pending; club page names Usman Khawaja | 16 |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Nathan Ellis | 16 |
| Melbourne Renegades | Will Sutherland | 15 |
| Melbourne Stars | Marcus Stoinis | 11 |
| Perth Scorchers | Not confirmed in the sources reviewed | 15 |
| Sydney Sixers | Not confirmed in the sources reviewed | 17 |
| Sydney Thunder | David Warner | 14 |
The league list used here was published by Cricket Australia on 23 October 2026. Club pages were also checked for player roles and captain labels.
Adelaide Strikers Squad 2026–27
Captain: Matt Short
Signed Squad
| Signed Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Alex Carey | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Mark Chapman | Batter |
| Mackenzie Harvey | Batter |
| Thomas Kelly | Batter |
| Lloyd Pope | Bowler |
| Jason Sangha | Batter |
| Liam Scott | All-rounder |
| Matt Short | All-rounder |
| Ben Stokes | All-rounder |
| Tom Straker | Bowler |
| Henry Thornton | Bowler |
| Jerrssis Wadia | All-rounder |
Overseas signings: Ben Stokes from England and Mark Chapman from New Zealand.
Replacement note: Jerrssis Wadia first came in as a replacement player. He now has a full BBL 16 contract.
This is the contracted list. It is not a confirmed final XI. Names such as Travis Head and Chris Lynn were listed as uncontracted in the Cricket Australia roundup.
Brisbane Heat Squad 2026–27
Captain: Usman Khawaja is marked captain on the club squad page. Cricket Australia said the captain was still to be decided.
Signed Squad
| Signed Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Xavier Bartlett | Bowler |
| Max Bryant | Batter |
| Tom Curran | Role not confirmed |
| Lachlan Hearne | Batter |
| Spencer Johnson | Bowler |
| Usman Khawaja | Batter |
| Matt Kuhnemann | Bowler |
| Nathan McSweeney | All-rounder |
| Michael Neser | All-rounder |
| Jimmy Peirson | Wicketkeeper |
| Matthew Renshaw | Batter |
| Tim Robinson | Batter |
| Callum Vidler | Bowler |
| Hugh Weibgen | All-rounder |
| Jack Wildermuth | All-rounder |
| Bevon Jacobs | Role not confirmed |
Overseas signings: Tom Curran from England and Tim Robinson from New Zealand.
Replacement note: Bevon Jacobs is a New Zealand replacement player for Tom Curran at the start of the season.
The Heat list is signed, but the captain call and final XI need a later club announcement.
Hobart Hurricanes Squad 2026–27
Captain: Nathan Ellis
Signed Squad
| Signed Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Marcus Bean | Bowler |
| Iain Carlisle | Bowler |
| Nikhil Chaudhary | Batter |
| Tim David | All-rounder |
| Nathan Ellis | Bowler |
| Nick Hobson | Batter |
| Shai Hope | Wicketkeeper |
| Ben McDermott | Wicketkeeper |
| Riley Meredith | Bowler |
| Mitch Owen | All-rounder |
| Will Prestwidge | Bowler |
| Billy Stanlake | Bowler |
| Tim Ward | Batter |
| Jake Weatherald | Batter |
| Beau Webster | All-rounder |
| Adam Zampa | Bowler |
Overseas signing: Shai Hope from the West Indies.
Movement note: Adam Zampa joined from the Renegades. Nick Hobson joined from the Scorchers. Matthew Wade retired from the league. Chris Jordan moved to the Sixers.
The current club page also shows Rishad Hossain. He was not in the Cricket Australia contracted BBL 16 list used for this signed-squad table.
Melbourne Renegades Squad 2026–27
Captain: Will Sutherland
Signed Squad
| Signed Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Michael Archer | Bowler |
| Jonny Bairstow | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Jason Behrendorff | Bowler |
| Michael Bracewell | All-rounder |
| Josh Brown | Batter |
| Harry Dixon | Batter |
| Brendan Doggett | Bowler |
| Sam Elliott | Bowler |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | Batter |
| Caleb Jewell | Batter |
| Ben Manenti | All-rounder |
| Ollie Peake | Batter |
| Tom Rogers | Bowler |
| Callum Stow | Bowler |
| Will Sutherland | All-rounder |
Overseas signings: Jonny Bairstow from England and Michael Bracewell from New Zealand.
Replacement note: Michael Archer and Sam Elliott moved from replacement roles into full contracts.
The club page currently shows 14 names. The Cricket Australia contracted list has 15 and includes Sam Elliott. No final XI was named.
Melbourne Stars Squad 2026–27
Captain: Marcus Stoinis
Signed Squad
| Signed Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Finn Allen | Batter |
| Austin Anlezark | Bowler |
| Hilton Cartwright | Batter |
| Sam Harper | Wicketkeeper |
| Liam Hatcher | Bowler |
| Campbell Kellaway | Batter |
| Glenn Maxwell | All-rounder |
| Tom Rogers | Batter |
| Peter Siddle | Bowler |
| Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder |
| Mitch Swepson | Bowler |
Overseas signings: Finn Allen from New Zealand, Jamie Overton from England and Craig Overton from England. Todd Murphy also joined from the Sixers.
Movement note: Jamie Overton joined from the Strikers. Tom Curran moved to the Heat.
The Cricket Australia list has 11 contracted names. The incoming list is shown separately so it is not confused with the signed list.
Perth Scorchers Squad 2026–27
Captain: Not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Signed Squad
| Signed Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Ashton Agar | All-rounder |
| Mahli Beardman | Bowler |
| Cooper Connolly | All-rounder |
| Brody Couch | Bowler |
| Zak Crawley | Batter |
| Joel Curtis | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Aneurin Donald | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Aaron Hardie | All-rounder |
| Calvin Harrison | Bowler |
| Mitch Marsh | All-rounder |
| Will Malajczuk | All-rounder |
| Lance Morris | Bowler |
| Joel Paris | Bowler |
| Jhye Richardson | Bowler |
| Ashton Turner | All-rounder |
Overseas signings: Zak Crawley, Aneurin Donald and Calvin Harrison from England.
Replacement note: Joel Curtis moved from a replacement role to a full contract.
The Perth club squad page did not return readable text in this research pass. The signed list comes from Cricket Australia. Josh Inglis and Corey Rocchiccioli were listed as uncontracted.
Sydney Sixers Squad 2026–27
Captain: Not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Signed Squad
| Signed Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Sean Abbott | Bowler |
| Jafer Chohan | Bowler |
| Joel Davies | Batter |
| Ollie Davies | Batter |
| Ben Dwarshuis | Bowler |
| Jack Edwards | All-rounder |
| Chris Jordan | All-rounder |
| Hayden Kerr | All-rounder |
| Riley Kingsell | Role not confirmed |
| Fergus O’Neill | Bowler |
| Josh Philippe | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Corey Rocchiccioli | Bowler |
| Jake Scott | Role not confirmed |
| Tim Seifert | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Lachlan Shaw | Batter |
| Jordan Silk | Batter |
| Steve Smith | Batter |
Overseas signings: Jafer Chohan from England, Tim Seifert from New Zealand and Chris Jordan from England. Corey Rocchiccioli is Australian.
Movement note: Ollie Davies and Fergus O’Neill were the main free-agent additions reported by Cricket Australia. Moises Henriques retired from Australian domestic cricket.
The Sixers list has 17 contracted names. It does not confirm a final XI or a BBL 16 captain.
Sydney Thunder Squad 2026–27
Captain: David Warner
Signed Squad
| Signed Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Cameron Bancroft | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Sam Billings | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Trent Boult | Bowler |
| Lockie Ferguson | Bowler |
| Matt Gilkes | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Chris Green | All-rounder |
| Ryan Hadley | Bowler |
| Sam Konstas | Batter |
| Nic Maddinson | Batter |
| Aidan O’Connor | Role not confirmed |
| Will Salzmann | All-rounder |
| Daniel Sams | All-rounder |
| Tanveer Sangha | Bowler |
| David Warner | Batter |
Overseas signing: Trent Boult from New Zealand. Sam Billings remains the contracted overseas player named in the Cricket Australia roundup.
Movement note: Will Salzmann moved from the Renegades. Ollie Davies moved to the Sixers.
The official BBL page shows 14 names. The Cricket Australia contracted list has 13 and records Trent Boult as an incoming signing. This page keeps the current signed group at 14 and explains the difference.
BBL 16 Captains List
| Team | Captain status |
|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | Matt Short |
| Brisbane Heat | Usman Khawaja — club page marks him captain; CA said captaincy was still to be decided |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Nathan Ellis |
| Melbourne Renegades | Will Sutherland |
| Melbourne Stars | Marcus Stoinis |
| Perth Scorchers | Not confirmed in the sources reviewed |
| Sydney Sixers | Not confirmed in the sources reviewed |
| Sydney Thunder | David Warner |
The only captain uncertainty that directly conflicts across sources is Brisbane Heat. The club page marks Usman Khawaja as captain, while the Cricket Australia roundup said the decision was still open. Perth and Sydney Sixers had no confirmed BBL 16 captain in the sources reviewed.
BBL 16 Overseas Players
The BBL 16 system uses direct international signings. The league can have up to three overseas players on a primary list, and it does not require a minimum number.
| Team | Overseas names listed in the sources |
|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | Ben Stokes (England); Mark Chapman (New Zealand) |
| Brisbane Heat | Tom Curran (England); Tim Robinson (New Zealand); Bevon Jacobs (New Zealand) |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Shai Hope (West Indies) |
| Melbourne Renegades | Jonny Bairstow (England); Michael Bracewell (New Zealand) |
| Melbourne Stars | Finn Allen (New Zealand); Jamie Overton (England); Craig Overton (England) |
| Perth Scorchers | Zak Crawley (England); Aneurin Donald (England); Calvin Harrison (England) |
| Sydney Sixers | Jafer Chohan (England); Tim Seifert (New Zealand); Chris Jordan (England) |
| Sydney Thunder | Sam Billings (England) |
These are signed or reported incoming overseas names. They are not a promise that every player will appear in every game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are These The Final BBL 16 Playing XIs?
No. These are signed squad lists. A final XI is chosen for a specific match.
How Many Teams Play In BBL 16?
Eight men’s teams play in BBL 16.
Which BBL 16 Teams Have A Confirmed Captain?
The sources name Matt Short, Nathan Ellis, Will Sutherland, Marcus Stoinis and David Warner. Brisbane Heat, Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers need a clear final captain update in the sources used here.
Are Replacement Players The Same As Signed Players?
No. A replacement fills a short-term gap. A signed player holds a place on the season list. This page marks both types separately.
For the wider men’s competition, see the BBL 16 schedule guide. For the women’s competition, see the WBBL 12 squads guide.
Author: Suryakant Dadheech
