BBL contract window set to open

The eight Big Bash League teams will begin their scramble for players next week, when the initial 12-day contract window opens. All players became free agents after last year's tournament, meaning that sides must start from scratch in compiling their squads this year, and competition will be extra fierce this year because teams will be allowed to sign players to multi-year deals.

The contract window runs from Monday until July 20, by which time each side must have contracted at least 14 players and a maximum of 18, which can include two from overseas, and the salary cap remains unchanged at A$1 million. The remainder of the squad members must be confirmed by November 30.

Cricket Australia has also released the fixture for this year's tournament, which will begin nine days earlier than last year and will feature four extra matches. The increase means each team will play four home games, and Sydney and Melbourne will each host two derby games.

It is those cross-town rivalries that will kick off the tournament, with the Melbourne Renegades hosting the Melbourne Stars at Etihad Stadium on December 7, and the following evening the Sydney Sixers will play the Sydney Thunder. The final has been scheduled for January 19.

Schedule
Friday December 7: Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars, Etihad Stadium, 7pm
Saturday December 8: Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder, SCG, 7pm
Sunday December 9: Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes, Gabba, 5pm
Sunday December 9: Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers, WACA, 6pm
Wednesday December 12: Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars, WACA, 5pm
Thursday December 13: Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Oval, 7pm
Friday December 14: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades, ANZ Stadium, 7pm
Saturday December 15: Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes, MCG, 7pm
Sunday December 16: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers, SCG, 7pm
Tuesday December 18: Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers, Gabba, 6.30pm
Wednesday December 19: Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes, Etihad Stadium, 7pm
Thursday December 20: Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers, ANZ Stadium, 7pm
Friday December 21: Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers, MCG, 7pm
Saturday December 22: Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat, Etihad Stadium, 7pm
Sunday December 23: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder, Blundstone Arena, 4.30pm
Sunday December 23: Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Sixers, Adelaide Oval, 7pm
Wednesday December 26: Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes, SCG, 7pm
Thursday December 27: Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Oval, 7pm
Friday December 28: Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat, ANZ Stadium, 7pm
Saturday December 29: Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades, WACA, 6pm
Sunday December 30: Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers, ANZ Stadium, 7pm
Tuesday January 1: Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers, Blundstone Arena, 7pm
Wednesday January 2: Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers, Etihad Stadium, 7pm
Thursday January 3: Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars, Gabba, 6.30pm
Friday January 4: Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder, WACA, 6pm
Saturday January 5: Hobart Hurricanes v Adelaide Strikers, Blundstone Arena, 7pm
Sunday January 6: Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades, MCG, 7pm
Monday January 7: Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers, Gabba, 6.30pm
Tuesday January 8: Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder, MCG, 7pm
Wednesday January 9: Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades, SCG, 7pm
Thursday January 10: Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Oval, 7pm
Saturday January 12: Hobart Hurricanes v Brisbane Heat, Blundstone Arena, 7pm

Tuesday January 15: Semi-Final 1 (1st v 4th)
Wednesday January 16: Semi-Final 2 (2nd v 3rd)
Saturday January 19: Final