Talking BBL and how successful it has been this season, who thinks that CA will do two things: expand AND attempt to attract more international players to the clubs?
In regards to expansion, I can't see why places like Canberra, NT, Geelong, Newcastle and maybe Nth Qld can't get a team. I also think people need to move away from thinking it has to be populated by Shield players and not be a bit more like American baseball where it's 'come one, come all' and foreign players are sprinkled throughout too. I'd say Canberra with a team based at Manuka would be a winner (tis a pity Thunder got the lime) and I'd love to see a Newcastle Nights team.
Personally, I'd also cast an eye to having maybe an Auckland team in too. Why not? Works for NRL, A League and NBL having a Kiwi team in. As long as it's all (or 9 out of 11) Kiwis in the team(s). Maybe some NZ posters can say whether or not it would be good (I know NZ has their own T20 comp too).
As for the foreign players, it's been great. KP, Kallis, Flintoff, Wessels, Vettori, Arafat, all the Windies chaps out here too. It's good for developing the game here (like we keep hearing about all the Aussies playing IPL and rubbing off on young Indian up and comers). And there are the old bull personalities who can play T20 and it not tax them too much either and still contribute.
Lastly, as a Thunder fan, there is definitely potential there. They will get the crowds. Problem is they need a winning run. 4 wins in 4 seasons is terrible. And since both the Sixers and Thunder are run by NSWCA, I can't see how the Sixers get to stockpile all the NSW Shield talent OR NSW talent goes to other franchises without the Thunder getting them first. We've lost Zampa, Carters amongst others. Actually spoke to Gurinder Sandhu today after the Milo kids session with my son, and he was adamant he was going no where. Phew! Cause I thought once he got given his Aust ODI cap, he'd have been given his baggy blue and New Era pink cap in the same bag.
Also feel for Phil Nevill who is/was with Renegades but didn't get a single game after they signed Wade and they made him sit on the bench all summer. Seriously…we coulda used that guy at the Thunder.