Perth Scorchers are the Big Bash's most successful team but have lost some key players this yearDates: 7 December 2023 - 24 January 2024Coverage: Live radio commentaries on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. More details.

The early-morning sunshine and Big Bash cricket from Australia is back for a 13th edition.

The eight teams will each play 10 matches in the group stage, with the top four progressing to the knockout stage.

Here is everything you need to know about the new season.

What's new for 2023-24?

From last year, where each team played each other twice, meaning 14 matches each, this year, they will now play just 10 matches each.

There is also a new format following the end of the group stage, with the top four teams progressing to the Finals Series.

The top two teams will face each other in a qualifying match, with the winning side progressing straight to the final.

The loser of that, will play the winner of the knockout match between third and fourth place in a challenger match, with the winner of that taking the other place in the final.

Is there any England involvement?

A total of 13 English players were selected in the international draft.

However, England batter Harry Brook, who was due to play for Melbourne Stars and young leg spinner Rehan Ahmed, who had been picked by Sydney Sixers, have since withdrawn. Both are in England's white-ball squads to face West Indies in ODI and T20 series later this month.

Zak Crawley has been named in the Perth Scorchers squad and is set to be available for between six and nine matches, after the one-day series in West Indies.

Former Test duo Tom Curran and James Vince have been named in the Sydney Sixers squad.

Adelaide Strikers have called up David Payne as a replacement for Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan.

Experienced death-bowler Chris Jordan will play alongside fellow English batter Sam Hain for the Hobart Hurricanes.

Former England head coach Peter Moores is the new coach of Melbourne Stars, who have never won the tournament and finished bottom last season. As part of Moores' squad, he has signed all-rounder Liam Dawson, who has played three Tests and six ODIs for England.

What else do I need to know?

While there is a healthy dose of English talent on display, there are plenty of other stars from across the world of Australian and world cricket.

South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, fresh off an impressive campaign at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, is set to line up for Melbourne Renegades, alongside young Afghanistan international Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock retired from ODI cricket following this year's Cricket World Cup

Pakistan bowlers Haris Rauf and Usama Mir have both been picked up by Melbourne Stars in the draft.

Travis Head, Australia's star batter in the World Cup, who scored a century in the final win over India, features in the Adelaide Strikers squad, as does Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Afghanistan's star player Rashid Khan was due to play alongside Head and Carey, but has since withdrawn.

Australian top-order Test batting duo Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are both part of the Brisbane Heat squad alongside fast bowler Spencer Johnson, who impressed for the Oval Invincibles in this year's Hundred.

With plenty of international cricket across all formats taking place during the BBL, it could lead to some players either dropping out, or playing fewer games due to international commitments.

Who could win?

Defending champions Perth Scorchers have suffered a blow in their quest to retain their title, having lost prolific batter Cameron Bancroft to Sydney Thunder.

Bancroft joins a Thunder side that also boasts the likes of David Warner and Alex Hales.

Having won the previous two editions of the competition, the Scorchers will again be among the front-runners to lift the trophy.

Also hot on their heels will be Sydney Sixers, who finished just a point behind the Scorchers in the group stage last year and reached the knockout rounds, only to narrowly miss out on the final to Brisbane Heat.

Sydney Thunder will be keen to make amends after a poor 2022-23 season. While they finished fourth in the eight-team table, they were bowled out for just 15 against Adelaide Strikers.

The Sydney Sixers possess a strong squad that includes Australia internationals Steve Smith, Todd Murphy and Sean Abbott.

Abbott is the BBL's all-time leading wicket-taker with 153 wickets.

Pakistan bowlers Rauf and Mir will play in a Melbourne Stars side that also includes Australia's World Cup winning all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, as well as Test bowler Scott Boland.

Across town, the Melbourne Renegades have signed spinners Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon.