Big Bash League 2025-26: Five Youngsters to Watch

Azeem Siddiqui takes at look at five young players set to make a mark in the 2025-26 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).
Big Bash League 2025-26: Five Youngsters to Watch
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Jake Fraser-McGurk (Melbourne Renegades)

First in the list features Melbourne Renegades' Jake Fraser-McGurk. The 23-year-old burst onto the scene as the next big thing, but has failed to deliver the goods consistently at the highest level. Despite that, Fraser-McGurk remains one of the most sought-after youngsters in Australian cricket, and the Renegades' management will be hoping that he will finally come good this year and resurrect his career. Overall, Fraser-McGurk has featured in 86 matches in the 20-over format, where he has scored 1,689 runs with a strike rate of 150.26. Last year, Fraser-McGurk played 10 innings and scored 188 runs with a strike rate of 138.23, which included a half-century as well.

Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers)

Second in the list features Perth Scorchers Cooper Connolly. The 22-year-old is already identified as one of the players who will represent the national side at the highest level consistently in the near future, at least in white-ball cricket. Connolly had an exceptional time with the bat in hand during the BBL 2024, where he scored 351 runs with an average of 50.14. His strike rate throughout the competition was 131.46. The Scorchers' management will be hoping that Connolly will be able to improve his numbers significantly this year and compete with the best to become the highest run-getter in BBL 2025.

Sam Konstas (Sydney Thunder)

Third on the list features Sydney Thunder's batter Sam Konstas. The 20-year-old is known for his heroics in the Test format against ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah on his debut. However, since then, not much has gone right for Konstas, at least in white-ball formats. Last year, Konstas featured in five matches in the BBL, scoring 122 runs at a strike rate of 128. The Thunder management decided to keep faith with Konstas, and they will be hoping the youngster learns from his experiences last year and puts on an even better show this time around.

Jafer Chohan (Sydney Sixers)

Fourth in the list features Sydney Sixers' Jafer Chohan. The 23-year-old has already played a lot of T20 cricket despite making his debut just two years ago. Chohan represented the Sixers' last year as well, where in four matches, he claimed three wickets with an outstanding economy rate of just 6.66. The Sixers coaching staff will hope that, after playing more T20 cricket since featuring in the BBL last year, Chohan can improve his performances in the upcoming season of Australia's premier T20 competition.

William Salzmann (Melbourne Renegades)

Last on the list features young all-rounder William Salzmann. The 22-year-old has had an impressive start to his First-Class and List A career, which was the primary reason for his selection for BBL 2025. Salzmann averages more than 50 with the bat, both in First-Class and List A cricket and has also taken 16 wickets in the 50-over format with the ball in hand. Those numbers clearly suggest that Salzmann is more than a handy cricketer to have in the playing XI. However, after having no experience of playing T20 cricket at the highest level, it will be interesting to see whether the Renegades management will take a risk and give an extended run to Salzmann in the upcoming edition of the BBL.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Passionate sports follower in the field of sports journalism for more than five years. Loves writing about cricket, football, and tennis.
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