Seven players that WILL make an impact during BBL06

With the opening match of BBL06 exactly seven days away on December 20th, here at Zero Wicket we've decided to make a list for the occasion! The Big Bash League houses some of the best cricketers from Australia as well as overseas each year, but unfortunately for whatever reason, some of the big stars just don't live up to the hype. We've decided to put together a short list of players who we know will make an impact during the upcoming season, so here are our seven superstars for BBL06. Brad Hodge (Adelaide Strikers) [caption id="attachment_3049" align="alignnone" width="640"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Brad Hodge of the Adelaide Strikers walks from the field prior to the Big Bash League Semi Final match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Sydney Thunder at Adelaide Oval on January 21, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)[/caption] The Adelaide captain has been one of the most prolific run scorers in BBL history, as the 41-year-old is one of only six players to eclipse the elusive 1000-run mark, with 1058 runs to his name. Brad Hodge averages 44.08 in the Big Bash which sees him fourth overall, but the three-team veteran does average the most out of players to have played more than 25 BBL matches (Hodge has played 35). The batsman is a model of consistency when it comes to the shortest format, so this was a no-brainer when compiling this list. Chris Lynn (Brisbane Heat) [caption id="attachment_2821" align="alignnone" width="640"] Chris Lynn hits a six during the Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes at The Gabba on December 29, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia.[/caption] Another player to have toppled the 1000-run mark, Brisbane batsman Chris Lynn is one of the more exciting players to watch in the Big Bash competition. Lynn certainly takes after the name of the tournament and has smashed 68 sixes in his 39 game career, 17 more maximums than Chris Gayle who's in second place. The 26-year-old's average of 34.46 is quite impressive for a middle order batsman, and Lynn has been known time and time again to be able to get his side some much needed runs late in an innings. With captain Brendon McCullum telling the media that he wants his side to be entertaining and play an exciting brand of cricket, this could scarily be Lynn's best season yet. Tim Paine (Hobart Hurricanes) [caption id="attachment_3045" align="alignnone" width="640"] HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 02: Tim Paine of the Hurricanes wicketkeeps during the Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Brisbane Heat at Blundstone Arena on January 2, 2015 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Hobart's captain has been one of the longest serving members of the Hurricanes side, so Tim Paine is well aware of the competition his side faces this season. For a wicketkeeper Paine's BBL average is quite high, as the 32-year-old has smashed 883 runs at 29.43 over his 33-match career. As it stands the Hurricanes are a big light in the batting stocks so Paine knows he must lead this side if they're to be a real title threat, and there's no doubt he has enough quality with the bat to guide his team to the post-season. Cameron White (Melbourne Renegades) [caption id="attachment_3047" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 02: Cameron White of the Melbourne Renegades hits Adam Zampa of the Melbourne Stars for 6 during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 2, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] Despite switching between Melbourne rivals from the Stars to the Renegades in 2015, that hasn't stopped Cameron White from being one of the most consistent BBL players the tournament has ever seen. White's average may only be 22.36 - which is still quite good - but that's because he's played 42 matches, which makes him one of the most experienced players in the competition. Seven half-centuries and a strike rate of 114.09 means White will now doubt be able to add to the Renegades line-up, and when he stars this season it might be what the red half of Melbourne need if they're to go to the promised land. James Faulkner (Melbourne Stars) [caption id="attachment_3046" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 20: James Faulkner of the Stars plays a shot during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Hobart Hurricanes at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 20, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)[/caption] The king of run-chases should feature in most of Melbourne's matches this season before a possible call-up to the ODI side, and James Faulkner is primed and ready for a big BBL campaign. The big-hitting fast bowling 26-year-old is one of the most exciting Australian players to ever play in the Big Bash, and an overall T20 average of 22.10 for a player that bats in the lower half of the order is very impressive. Melbourne will look to go one step further this season after a loss in the final during BBL05, and there's no doubt Faulkner will be a crucial part of the Stars' charge to the championship. Michael Klinger (Perth Scorchers) [caption id="attachment_3044" align="alignnone" width="640"] Michael Klinger during the Big Bash League final match between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval on January 28, 2015 in Canberra, Australia.[/caption] Simply put, Michael Klinger is the most successful batsman in Big Bash history. With 1274 runs to his name no man has scored more than Klinger since the BBL began, which once again shows just why the Scorchers have been the dominant side of the last five years. They'll look to be up there again in BBL06, and the 36-year-old will certainly be leading the way this season. Andre Russell (Sydney Thunder) [caption id="attachment_3048" align="alignnone" width="640"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Andre Russell of the Thunder celebrates after claiming the wicket of Brad Hodge of the Strikers during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers at Spotless Stadium on December 28, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)[/caption] Somewhat surprisingly, Andre Russell is the only foreigner on our list, which makes him the number one overseas player to watch in BBL06. Through just 10 Big Bash games Russell has taken 16 wickets at 18.87, but has also added 185 with the bat at 23.12, both numbers that most players would be proud of. He was important to the Thunder when they won their maiden title last season, although the 28-year-old is that good that stepping his game up to the next level isn't out of the question.

Seven players that WILL make an impact during BBL06

2Michael Klinger (Perth Scorchers)

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