The 2026 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) already kicked off on December 14, 2025, and it’s set to close on January 25, 2026. As of writing, a total of 5 matches has been completed, and there will be 39 more to go.
Here’s the current points table, with Melbourne Stars sitting in the top spot:
| Team | Played | Win | Loss | Points | NRR |
| Melbourne Stars | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2.038 |
| Perth Scorchers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1.235 |
| Melbourne Renegades | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0.700 |
| Adelaide Strikers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0.326 |
| Hobart Hurricanes | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.906 |
| Sydney Thunder | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.126 |
| Sydney Sixers | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -0.616 |
| Brisbane Hea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.700 |
While the league’s history is full of legendary names, the current 2025-26 season is proving that the future of Australian cricket is in good hands. We’re seeing great play by rising talents who are just proving how well-deserved they are to be on this cricket stage.
Let’s have a closer look at which players have been breakout stars so far in this BBL 2025-26 edition:
Cooper Connolly – Perth Scorchers
Before he was a household name for the Scorchers, Cooper Connolly was known as the cool-headed captain of Australia’s Under-19 team.
He first grabbed the public’s attention during the BBL 12 final, when the Scorchers took quite a gamble in sending him on the field when they needed 38 runs from the final 18 balls. Cooper was able to hit 25 off 11 balls, which helped Perth secure the title.
Now 22, he has moved from being a surprise package to being one of the team’s treasured players. So far in this BBL season, he has been showing that he deserves to be there. In the first match of the tournament against the Sixers, Cooper was able to get 59 runs off just 31 balls, and maintained a strike rate of 190.
Marcus Bean – Hobart Hurricanes
As the current BBL champions, Hobart Hurricanes are easily a favorite to champion the tournament based on the latest BBL winner predictions. While they have plenty of big names, the most physically imposing figure in their squad is Marcus Bean, their tallest player at 6’11.
In fact, he isn’t even just the team’s tallest player, as he is the tallest in Big Bash history. He’s been playing in the league since last season and has been dubbed Mr. Bean. But even if that’s the case, fans take his bowling seriously.
The first match of the Hurricanes this year against the Sydney Thunder is basically a rematch of last year’s final. Bean may not have shown much just yet, but his performance in that match reminded many how his tall frame can be a tactical nightmare for batters.
Oliver Peake – Melbourne Renegades
If there is one name on everyone’s lips this December, it’s 19-year-old Ollie Peake. Son of former Victorian cricketer Clinton Peake, Ollie has cricket in his DNA.
He was a hero for Australia in the recent U19 World Cup final and was signed by the Renegades as a “player for the future.” But it seems like he’s not waiting for that future anymore, as he’s already showing how strong of a player he is right now.
Peake delivered one of the best young-player innings in BBL history during the Renegades’ match against Brisbane Heat on December 15. Against a Brisbane Heat attack led by international star Shaheen Shah Afridi, he smashed a brilliant 57 from 29 deliveries.
Sam Fanning – Perth Scorchers
Another rising player from the Perth Scorchers is Sam Fanning, who has spent years dominating the local cricket scene. Fanning is known for his competitive nature, which many think of as him being an old-school player.
However, even if he’s seen as old-school, he’s not left behind. His BBL career strike rate is actually very high at 14571, so he can score quickly when he needs to.
While he wasn’t part of the Scorchers’ playing XI in their first BBL match of the year, everyone knows he’s someone to watch out for. After all, he’s scored over 1,000 runs across all formats in a single Perth local season. That stamina means so much, and it will be interesting to see him play this year.
Conclusion
We’re still a bit far from the play-offs, but fans already have their favorites to win so far. These are just a few players who have been showing off and are expected to do well this season. Don’t miss out on the rest of the 2025-26 BBL, with matches streaming on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.