Top international signings, eye-catching domestic moves and – most importantly – plenty of big-name KFC SuperCoach cheapies.

BBL11 promises to be one of the best Big Bash League campaigns yet.

Will the all-conquering Sixers make it three titles in a row?

Can the Renegades rediscover their mojo after years in the doldrums?

Can Glenn Maxwell lead the Stars to a long-awaited title?

There are so many unanswered questions at the start of every summer and we’ve tried to decipher how the key moves will affect KFC SuperCoach.

Here are all the key squad changes ahead of BBL11 and what they mean for your KFC SuperCoach team.

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Adelaide Strikers

Squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Travis Head (captain), Spencer Johnson, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Peter Siddle, Jon Wells, Daniel Worrall, George Garton, Ryan Gibson, Rashid Khan, Matthew Short

In: George Garton

Out: Michael Neser

International players: Rashid Khan, George Garton

The Strikers have signed English bowling all-rounder George Garton, who shapes as a popular starting selection at $125k. Garton seems likely to fill the role left by Michael Neser after his return to Brisbane Heat. Middle-order batsman Ryan Gibson recently inked a new deal, but his role was not conducive to big KFC SuperCoach scoring. Another re-signing, Matthew Short, has batted too low in recent seasons to be a big scorer.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the Strikers will be the availability of Alex Carey. Will the gloveman be included in the Ashes squad? And what about the white-ball sides for Australia this summer? Has he lost his place to Josh Inglis? Carey is one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen in SuperCoach when available. Matt Renshaw and Jon Wells are worth consideration as cheaper starting selections depending on where they bat — watch pre-season games for any intel. It would give KFC SuperCoaches a lot to consider if Travis Head was available for the Round 2 double, but that seems unlikely due to the Ashes and a possible Covid bubble around the Test squad. The Strikers squad still looks thin – at least on paper – although it means there could be plenty of opportunities for SuperCoach cheapies.

Best SuperCoach cheapie: Matthew Renshaw (BAT-BWL $67,400)

Best premium option: Rashid Khan ($198,700 BWL)

Cricket: Travis Head has sent a reminder to Cricket Australia that he is not done yet, smacking a scintillating double century with a history-making knock in the Marsh Cup.

Brisbane Heat

Squad: Xavier Bartlett, Tom Cooper, Sam Heazlett, Chris Lynn, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Jimmy Peirson (captain), Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Willans, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Ben Duckett, Tom Abell

In: Michael Neser, Ben Duckett, Tom Abell

Out: Lewis Gregory, Tom Banton

International Players: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ben Duckett, Tom Abell

One of the most important squads to monitor in pre-season ahead of a double game week in Round 1. With Michael Neser likely to be unavailable, fellow all-rounder Jack Wildermuth will come into the thinking of most KFC SuperCoaches, unless Australia A duties rule him out of the early stages of the tournament. Wildermuth made a flying start to BBL10 and should have a lead role in Neser’s absence. Neser is likely to fill the role of Englishman Lewis Gregory when he is available later in the tournament, assuming he misses due to being in the Ashes squad. That likelihood was only increased when James Pattinson retired.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is one of the most expensive players in KFC SuperCoach after his best summer in Australia in BBL10. Whether you can afford the Afghani spinner or take a punt on an up-and-comer like Xavier Bartlett will be a key point of consideration. The issue is paceman Bartlett hasn’t bowled yet this summer in Queensland grade cricket, instead featuring as a No.6 batsman for his club side Gold Coast. Mark Steketee was one of the top wicket-takers in BBL10 and Mitch Swepson was prolific when available. Both should be in your Round 1 plans unless – like Wildermuth could be – they are selected for Australia A.

Many coaches will be hesitant to commit $125k to Ben Duckett or Tom Abell after other Englishmen flopped in their first BBL campaigns. The Round 1 double slightly mitigates that risk. Abell, a batting all-rounder (although used sparingly with the ball in T20 cricket and listed as BAT only in KFC SuperCoach) has been named in the English Lions squad for a tour game before the Ashes. That almost certainly means he will miss the opening round, which is a shame as he’s one of the most entertaining domestic T20 batsmen in the world when on song. In six Vitality Blast games this year he scored 295 runs from 183 balls at a crazy strike rate of 161.2.

Best SuperCoach cheapie: Xavier Bartlett ($97,900 BWL) – pending fitness

Best premium option: Chris Lynn ($172,500 BAT)

Hobart Hurricanes

Squad: Scott Boland, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Peter Handscomb, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Wil Parker, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade (captain), Mac Wright, Sandeep Lamichhane, Caleb Jewell, Joel Paris, Harry Brook

In: Harry Brook, Josh Kann

Out: James Faulkner, Keemo Paul, Jake Doran, Nick Winter, Dawid Malan, David Moody, Tim Paine, Colin Ingram, Will Jacks

International Players: Sandeep Lamichhane, Harry Brook

There’s been a few changes to the Hurricanes line-up, none more notable than former Aussie all-rounder James Faulkner’s departure. His move will likely present an opportunity for recruit and fellow left-arm quick Joel Paris, who is firming for a Round 1 debut after some impressive domestic performances for WA. Priced at only $62,500, he should be high on the must-have list for KFC SuperCoach this summer.

Joining Paris at the Hurricanes is English rising star Harry Brook, although KFC SuperCoaches will likely be more inclined to watch him closely in the early rounds and hope he doesn’t become Will Jacks 2.0.

If premiums Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short are on the outer for international duties, it will free them up to play the entire BBL tournament in a big boost for KFC SuperCoaches and the Hurricanes.

The other player to watch is Josh Kann, who is as cheap as they come in KFC SuperCoach. The all-rounder dominated in Darwin during the winter and has been prominent in Queensland grade cricket. If he gets an early start, make sure you don’t miss out.

Best SuperCoach cheapie: Josh Kann ($42,000 BAT-BWL)

Best premium option: D’Arcy Short ($179,600 BAT-BWL)

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Melbourne Renegades

Squad: Cameron Boyce, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch (captain), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Josh Lalor, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Nic Maddinson

In: Nic Maddinson

Out: Beau Webster, Peter Hatzoglou

International Players: None.

The Renegades head into BBL11 with a mostly unchanged line-up, only losing middle-order batsman Beau Webster and spinner Peter Hatzoglou to Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers respectively. All three of their international slots remain open and KFC SuperCoaches will be hopeful Afghani international Mohammad Nabi returns. Nabi has been a prominent KFC SuperCoach scorer in past seasons.

The addition of Nic Maddinson from the Stars adds to the powerful top order that includes Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Sam Harper. The issue for the Gades is Finch and Marsh – in particular – performed well below expectation last season and their low KFC SuperCoach prices reflect this.

James Pattinson’s role will be interesting after he retired from Test cricket. If he can shake off the injury troubles which have plagued him in recent years, he could be a key force for the Renegades. Kane Richardson seems a much safer pick at a lower price.

Watch for Cameron Boyce to play a lead role after missing BBL10, especially after breakout star Hatzoglou accepted a deal to move west.

Best SuperCoach cheapie: Aaron Finch ($62,500 BAT)

Best premium option: Kane Richardson ($152,000 BWL)

Melbourne Stars

Squad: Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Seb Gotch, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (captain), Tom O’Connell, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Joe Burns, Sam Rainbird, Beau Webster

In: Beau Webster, Joe Burns

Out: Lance Morris, Nic Maddinson

International Players: None

Beau Webster has crossed town to join the Stars after playing for the Renegades in recent summers and will fill an important middle-order hole. But his KFC SuperCoach relevance is debatable, especially if Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell dominate at the top of the order. That could mean limited opportunities with the bat if Webster is listed at No.5 or below. He certainly has the quality to perform well in the BBL, as he showed in BBL09 with 425 runs at a strike rate of 132. Maxwell likes to mix up his bowlers and Webster could also fill a role with the ball, especially after Maddinson’s switch to the Renegades.

Joe Burns has joined the Stars after spending seven seasons with Brisbane Heat and looms as a top-order replacement for Maddinson. The big watch for KFC SuperCoaches will be who the Stars sign as their wicketkeeper, with Seb Gotch the only recognised gloveman in their current squad. Gotch is in serious doubt for BBL11 due to a finger injury.

Stoinis should be bowling again by the time the BBL tournament rolls around, making him a great KFC SuperCoach buy. Nathan Coulter-Nile and Adam Zampa are two of the most reliable picks in the game.

Best SuperCoach cheapie: Hilton Cartwright (BAT $110,500)

Best premium option: Glenn Maxwell (BAT/BWL $195,500)

Perth Scorchers

Squad: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Kurtis Patterson, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Colin Munro

In: Lance Morris, Peter Haztoglou

Out: Joel Paris, Fawad Ahmed

International Players: Colin Munro

The Scorchers enter BBL11 with a few new additions to their bowling line-up. The breakout bowler of BBL10, Peter Hatzoglou, will replace veteran Fawad Ahmed and “wild thing” Lance Morris has crossed from Melbourne Stars. Both young bowlers will present points of difference in KFC SuperCoach, but could prove shrewd selections with the Scorchers having a double game week in Round 4.

Colin Munro, the big hitter from New Zealand, returns as an international signing after hitting serious form in the second half of last campaign. Perth has two more international slots to fill, with Liam Livingstone and Jason Roy so far unsigned.

Cameron Green is expected to sign with the Scorchers, but his availability will be subject to Test selection and whether Ashes players are able to be released to BBL squads. If Aussie T20 squad members Ashton Agar and Mitch Marsh are going to be bowling, they’ll be hard to resist at their prices.

Best SuperCoach Cheapie: Ashton Agar (BAT/BWL $89,700)

Best Premium Option: Mitch Marsh (BAT/BWL $132,700)

Sydney Sixers

Squad: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Carlos Brathwaite, Dan Christian, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Moises Henriques (captain), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Steve O’Keefe

In: Tom Curran

Out: Jason Holder

International Players: Tom Curran, James Vince, Carlos Brathwaite

The reigning champion shares the Round 1 double with Brisbane Heat and KFC SuperCoaches will be closely monitoring the Sixers in pre-season. Selection watch will be on, with Sean Abbott, Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques all in the frame to feature for Australia A in a tour game against the English Lions. Their absence would bring fringe players such as Ben Manenti, Jackson Bird and Jack Edwards into the spotlight for KFC SuperCoaches.

The other point of contention if Philippe was called up would be who takes the gloves. Nick Bertus was the $42k SuperCoach wicketkeeper added to the Sixers squad last summer.

The Sixers will welcome back Tom Curran after he sat out last season and he’s been one of the leading KFC SuperCoach scorers during his time in magenta. Carlos Brathwaite and James Vince will return for another summer as the champions reload with the same squad that led them to glory in BBL10. They look formidable again.

Best SuperCoach Cheapie: Daniel Hughes (BAT $78,300)

Best Premium Option: Sean Abbott (BWL $169,500)

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Sydney Thunder

Squad: Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja (captain), Saqib Mahmood, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain, Alex Hales

In: Saqib Mahmood

Out: Callum Ferguson, Adam Milne, Arjun Nair

International Players: Alex Hales, Saqib Mahmood

There’s been more changes off-field than on-field at the Thunder in the off-season, with a very similar line-up likely for BBL11. This summer the title contender will be under the guidance of former World Cup winner and veteran coach, Trevor Bayliss.

In good news for KFC SuperCoaches, premium English players Sam Billings and Alex Hales will return for another season after averaging 43.6 and 58.9 KFC SuperCoach points respectively last summer.

They’ll be joined by compatriot and right-arm quick Saqib Mahmood, who is making his BBL debut and is one to keep an eye on in the first couple of rounds as he settles in.

The Thunder are one of the few BBL teams that won’t have a KFC SuperCoach bye throughout the season, so you can pick the likes of Daniel Sams, Usman Khawaja or Alex Hales with confidence.

The greatest interest from a KFC SuperCoach perspective could be who replaces Callum Ferguson at the top of the order. If it’s Ollie Davies or Matthew Gilkes, KFC SuperCoaches might have a serious cheapie to consider.

Best SuperCoach cheapie: Usman Khawaja ($93,300 BAT)

Best premium option: Daniel Sams ($203,700 BAT-BWL)