Hobart Hurricanes

Captain: Matthew Wade

Coach: Adam Griffith

Overseas players: Qais Ahmed (Afghanistan), David Miller (South Africa)

Full squad Qais Ahmad, George Bailey, Scott Boland, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, James Faulkner, Jarrod Freeman, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, David Miller, David Moody, Tom Rogers, Clive Rose, D'Arcy Short, Aaron Summers, Matthew Wade

Last season: 3rd

The Hurricanes dominated the regular season and looked unbeatable at times, but then stumbled at the semi-final stage. They won ten games in the regular season. Their opening combination of Wade and D'Arcy Short set all sorts of records with their monotonous consistency. They had a great bowling combination to back their openers up.

What's changed for the season?

The loss of Jofra Archer and Tymal Mills changes the dynamic of the attack significantly. They no longer have a pace battery and will need a little more variety. David Miller's inclusion adds some real quality to the middle order and gives the batting some depth.

Australia impact

They will be impacted heavily as any team with Wade's rise back to Test ranks must. He is unlikely to be available for the first six games and may miss a seventh. But then, when he returns, Ben McDermott could head to India with the ODI squad. Short is less likely to be in the frame but it's not out of the question. Riley Meredith is also on the Australian selectors' radar after playing for Australia A and if he has a big start to the BBL and the Test quicks get rested from the ODI tour, then the Hurricanes could be shorn of their strike weapon.

Player to watch

Riley Meredith has bowled well in Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup cricket this season. Provided his body holds up, and in the absence of Archer, he will be the main man for the Hurricanes attack with the new ball and at the death.

Key stat (Gaurav Sundararaman)

Wade and Short lit the tournament up last year with their opening stands. They averaged 58.07 and contributed to 50% of the team's runs.

Melbourne Renegades

Captain: Aaron Finch

Coach: Michael Klinger

Overseas players: Harry Gurney (England), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), Richard Gleeson (England - first eight games)

Full squad: Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Richard Gleeson Harry Gurney, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Beau Webster, Jack Wildermuth

Last season: 1st

The Renegades stole the title last season from cross-town rivals the Melbourne Stars in the most extraordinary final in BBL history. The Stars collapse wasn't all self-inflicted with the Renegades attack and tactics being well planned over the course of the season to produce the result.

What's changed for the season?

The biggest change is off-field, with the loss of experienced title-winning coach Andrew McDonald. Untried coach Michael Klinger steps in but, if anything, he inherits a stronger squad than what McDonald had. Aaron Finch will be available for more games than last season and they have acquired Australia's most in-form domestic player in Shaun Marsh to add further top-order experience. The attack is the same with the exception of losing Chris Tremain. After some last-minute switches, with Faheem Ashraf and Usman Shinwari withdrawing, Harry Gurney will be available for the full tournament.

Australia impact

They will lose Finch for a chunk of games in mid-January due to Australia's ODI tour of India and more-than-likely they will also lose Kane Richardson for that tour.

Player to watch

Shaun Marsh has rarely had the chance to play a full BBL tournament. He has been player of the tournament in an IPL. He was man of the match in the Marsh Cup final with an unbeaten century for WA. He also has two Shield centuries, including a double, this season. He could have a huge tournament.

Key stat (Gaurav Sundararaman)

The Renegades won the league last season thanks to their bowling unit. They had a tournament economy rate of 6.81 and averaged 23 runs per wicket, which was the best in the league. Harry Gurney was their best death bowler conceding 7.28 runs per over in the last four overs - the league's second-best behind Jofra Archer.