Australia's selectors have made some head-scratching selections, and the same can be said of the men who picked the International Cricket Council's Test team of the year.

• Live

It's the season-opener for the Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium. Just a few days before Christmas, cricket fans have taken advantage of a beautiful Melbourne day to head to the cricket.

Among other things on his Christmas list, Sydney Sixers fast bowler Doug Bollinger wants a victory in his first home game of the Big Bash League against the Hobart Hurricanes come Friday.

There were fireworks during the Big Bash League clash at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night, but not all of them were on the field.

Brisbane Heat recruit Alex Ross revealed he was the subject of some verbal barbs from his former Adelaide Strikers teammates before having the last laugh in his side's hard-fought 10-run BBL win at Adelaide Oval.

Ryan Gibson is fast emerging as one of the Sydney Thunder's key men in this season's Big Bash League.

Cameron French vows Canberra will be ready to set up a BBL franchise when expansion happens.

Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch says James Pattinson is "a little bit flat" to be missing the season-opener on Thursday night.

Adelaide Oval has implemented significant new security measures to protect patrons from potential vehicle attacks in the wake of recent international terror incidents. 

• Live

Follow our live match tracker with stats and commentary as the Strikers host the heat in BBL06.

Players in season two of the Women's Big Bash League are hitting 45 per cent more sixes than they did a year ago – the result, they say, of better equipment and improved access to high-quality training.

• Live

Follow our live match tracker, with stats and commentary, as the two Sydney teams kick off the sixth edition of the Big Bash League.

The wooden spooners have taken down the reigning premiers in the Big Bash League opener.

Big-hitting Adelaide Strikers batsman Jono Dean has vowed to make the most of his opportunities in the Big Bash.

While one door closed for a Canberra quick, albeit temporarily, one opened for another promising young tearaway.

The BBL looms as Nick Winter's avenue to return to the first class frame.

Nic Maddinson must retain his place in the Australian Test team, says Sixers teammate Moises Henriques.

The Melbourne Stars have gone back to back against the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL, following up Saturday's win with a victory on Sunday at Casey Fields.

Dwayne Bravo just led his Dhaka Dynamites to a title, now he hopes to repeat the dose with the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash.

Star all-rounder Ellyse Perry has gone in to bat for Cricket Australia, saying it was setting the standard for supporting women athletes in Australia.

The Melbourne Stars comfortably beat the Sydney Sixers at Casey Fields on Saturday, further cementing their reputation as the team to beat this Women's Big Bash Season.

There have been times in the past couple of years that Xavier Doherty has asked himself, "Why are you still playing?"

In a year of shock victories, it ranked well up there with the best. The Sydney Thunder, the perennial cellar-dwellers in the Big Bash League, stunned the competition last season as they lifted the trophy for the first time in their history.

Peter Siddle is confident his back woes aren't a long-term concern and says a handful of games at the tail end of the upcoming Big Bash League season can propel him back into Australia's Test squad for the tour of India early next year.

Australian cricketers should get paid maternity leave and help with childcare while on tour, batter Grace Harris said on Friday.

Six years in, I still don't know if my instinctive fondness for the BBL proves that I am a renaissance man of catholic tastes and broad toleration, or a pea brain.

Cricket Australia says its controversial stance on pregnant women's players.

Many women in the Big Bash would love to play cricket full time, top players say, contrary to Cricket Australia's claims that they enjoyed balancing sport with other work.

Adam Zampa laughs about it now, but knows he is lucky.

Peter Siddle's return from his latest back flare-up has been delayed.

Cricket Australia believes the success of the Big Bash League is not dependent on the availability of Australian International players, meaning there's little chance the sport would attempt to prevent scheduling clashes that would ensure more appearances by ODI players.  

Veteran all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar is eyeing a Women's Big Bash League title before retirement.

Two Melbourne Stars cricketers have miraculously escaped unharmed after a nasty outfield clash-of-heads in Albury.

A superb all-round display from India's Harmanpreet Kaur played a huge part in defending champions Sydney Thunder's first WBBL win of the season in Albury on Tuesday.

Ellyse Perry is the star once again as the Sydney Sixers land their first WBBL win this season.

Melbourne Stars coach Stephen Fleming sees leadership potential in Glenn Maxwell and is looking forward to spending time with the mercurial all-rounder on the golf course.

Two Australian cricketers are likely to miss the entire Big Bash League through injury.

The female version of Chris Gayle was in scintillating form at North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Young gun cricketer Sophie Molineux's teammates think she will play for Australia and it would be hard to question their judgment after her star turn in the Renegade's win over the Strikers on Sunday

The first prime-time Women's Big Bash League has been hailed a ratings success, as the fourth most popular program in Melbourne on Saturday night for viewers younger than 55.

West Indies star Stafanie Taylor says she'd be tempted by a potential move to the NSW Breakers.

The Big Bash League – having long ago reached mainstream status – is entering its sixth season.

Any total is defendable in Twenty20 cricket, as the Strikers showed the Renegades in North Sydney on Saturday.

Melbourne's Big Bash League clubs are both still chasing an elusive first title, but while that race can't be won until late January, another between the clubs looks likely to be decided before the year is out.

SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - She's being hailed as the Bradman of women's cricket and now Meg Lanning is promising yet more runs in what promises to be an explosive start to the WBBL on Saturday.

Sydney Thunder captain Alex Blackwell is going into the second season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) expectant and excited to face off against cross-town rivals Sydney Sixers.

The second Women's Big Bash League will edge the sport a step closer to professionalism.

Melbourne Stars players Morna Nielson and Michael Beer exchanged tips on left-arm spin bowling before the start of the Big Bash league season.

With six teenagers in their squad, the Melbourne Renegades are doing things differently to their competitors.

The new season of women's Big Bash Cricket begins this weekend with six matches over two days at North Sydney Oval.

Cricket Australia has taken another step towards introducing a Big Bash League game on Christmas Day by creating a working group to fast-track the concept.

Allrounder Mitch Marsh admits his chances of a Test recall this summer are slim despite finding some form with Australia's one-day side.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has turned down a chance to captain the Prime Minister's XI in what would have been "my last game".

At just 15, Annabel Sutherland will be part of a younger, new look Melbourne Renegades this WBBL season.

The MCG security fence – installed for Big Bash League and international cricket matches last summer – is not returning this season.

English all-rounder Natalie Sciver will to return to Australia for a second season of Big Bash cricket, joined by top New Zealand spin bowler Morna Nielson at the Southern Stars.

Perth Scorchers have been fined after they reported a breach of last season's Big Bash League salary cap.

The Melbourne Stars' men could learn about decision-making from its women when they go on pre-season camp together for the first time, coach Stephen Fleming said.

The multimillion-dollar business of cricket is evolving before our eyes, writes Michael Evans.

Australia's maligned international cricket schedule might be a blessing in disguise for Australia to turn around their Twenty20 fortunes, according to Brad Haddin.

Steve Smith has given Cricket Australia's new concussion substitute rule his tick of approval.

Canberra looms as a potential Big Bash League venue, with Cricket Australia in talks to extend the length of the booming competition.

To say it's a big week for Jess Cameron would be an understatement.

Media appearances and contract signings were something Katie Mack could never have dreamed of growing up playing cricket.

Highly talented but injury prone WA fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile looks set to again succumb to health problems ahead of the domestic summer.

A group of Canberra cricketers will vie for the chance to play the curtain-raiser to the Sydney Thunder's Big Bash League clash with the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday.

ACT bowler Erin Osborne is looking forward to leaving behind all of "the fun stuff you enjoy about winter".

You could forgive Weston Creek Molonglo fast bowler Joe Slater for struggling in his school exam on Friday.

Cricket ACT's Aiden Blizzard hopes someone will follow Mac Wright's footsteps this season.

More than half of international cricketers might choose the freedom to play T20 club cricket over a Test contract, a survey indicates.

Michael Clarke will make a call within weeks on whether to pursue a stint in the Big Bash League this summer.

The Big Bash League's worst kept secret has finally been confirmed, with Mitchell Johnson officially signing with the Perth Scorchers for this summer's competition.

Aiden Blizzard has signed a new one-year contract with last season's BBL winners, Sydney Thunder. 

Victorian great and former Australian batsman Dean Jones has expressed interest in becoming the new coach of the Melbourne Renegades.

Australian fast bowling great Mitchell Johnson will play for the Perth Scorchers in next summer's popular Big Bash Twenty20 league.

The Melbourne Renegades won't be going anywhere, having signed a new multi-year deal to stay at Etihad Stadium.

Victorian cricket great Darren Berry has declared his interest in the Bushrangers and Melbourne Renegades coaching jobs made vacant by David Saker's appointment as Australian bowling coach.

Sydney Thunder batsman Aiden Blizzard believes Manuka Oval is a "ready-made venue" for Big Bash League cricket, but says shifting games to Canberra has to be financially viable for franchises.

ACT Meteors captain Kris Britt has backed the women's Big Bash League to rise to even greater heights this season, adding Canberra players need to use their performances to prove the capital deserves a team.

New Melbourne Renegades signing Brad Hogg has taken a swipe at former club Perth, labelling the Scorchers "blase" in their attempt to retain the veteran spinner.

Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer says he's disappointed Brad Hogg has chosen to leave the BBL franchise, but he's adamant their friendship won't be affected by the decision.

The Perth Scorchers say they are still waiting to hear back from veteran spinner and crowd hero Brad Hogg about his playing future, as the Melbourne Renegades reportedly jockey for his signature.

Aussie batsman Shaun Marsh and TV journo wife Rebecca welcomed their first child into the world on Friday night.

It will be the first time a standalone women's sporting match has been shown in prime time on a commercial free-to-air television network's main channel.

The women's Big Bash League is expected to get a major boost when broadcasting details and fixtures for this summer's campaign are unveiled on Tuesday.

A Big Bash League bidding war has broken out over West Indies' World Twenty20 hero Carlos Brathwaite.

Chris Gayle has taken aim in his autobiography at Chris Rogers, Ian Chappell and Andrew Flintoff, and opened up about his controversial sideline interview last summer with Mel McLaughlin.

The Melbourne Renegades are yet to sign a stadium deal for their home games next season.

A revamp of home international scheduling will see Brisbane lose the first Test and pink-ball matches played against South Africa and Pakistan.

No one said being captain of the Australian cricket side was easy and at just 23, Meg Lanning is also part of a major push to make it the sport of choice for girls.

Michael Clarke is eager to play in next summer's Big Bash League and has approached the Sydney Sixers.

Rights to the Big Bash League are tipped to be fiercely contested when cricket begins negotiations with networks but speculation of an early venture into the market has been doused.

Michael Clarke has reignited his career by declaring he will turn out for his beloved grade club Western Suburbs, but his movements thereafter are far from set in stone as Big Bash clubs - including the Melbourne Stars - come to terms with his sudden change of heart.

• Cricket

Sydney Thunder allrounder Erin Osborne not expecting T20 World Cup call-up despite WBBL final heroics.

Convince David Warner to return to Big Bash League cricket? Lure Mitchell Johnson out of retirement? These are the questions the eight Big Bash League franchises face when the contract window for next summer's competition opens on Wednesday.

Young star on the rise, British passport, spending his winters in England? You've heard this story before. But Chris Green is not Steve Smith.

The polarising batsman claims to be in career best form and vows to "score runs and help the youngsters" if he is brought in from his international exile for the T20 World Cup in March.

Sydney Thunder's triumphant Women's Big Bash League skipper Alex Blackwell said her team's spin bowler Erin Osborne made a late push for selection in the Australia T20 World Cup side with her brilliant performance in the domestic T20 final on Sunday.