Glenn Maxwell's quest to prove himself to national selectors, the recovery of Australia's frontline quicks and a looming World Cup are among the intriguing subplots as the domestic one-day tournament returns to TV screens.
A shock omission for next month's Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, Maxwell will join his Victorian teammates in Townsville for Sunday's opening-round clash with Queensland.
Fellow Test reject Peter Handscomb will captain a Victorian squad missing Aaron Finch, Jon Holland and Peter Siddle to national duties.
Victoria have bolstered their batting stocks with the addition of Nic Maddinson, who was axed by NSW just 18 months after playing at Test level.
Maxwell was left perplexed by his latest Test setback after being told there was no need to audition during the recent Australia A tour in India.
But while Test great Ricky Ponting said he would be "ropeable", Victoria coach Andrew McDonald doesn't expect the mercurial allrounder to drop his head.
"From past experience, when he has been left out he's come back into the Victorian environment pretty keen to do well and play for Victoria," McDonald said.
"Once he gets into Townsville I think he'll be fine, and that's probably based on his track record in the past. He's dealt with disappointment and picked himself up and moved forward.
"That next task for Glenn and Pete, in particular, is in Queensland ... if they help Victoria win games then that probably bodes well for them in terms of Australian selection."
Paceman James Pattinson is unlikely to feature in the tournament after a setback in his recovery from back surgery but McDonald is excited by the inclusion of teenaged trio Will Sutherland, Mackenzie Harvey and Tom O'Connell.
Injury-plagued powerhouse Chris Lynn will captain Queensland and is another looking to catch the eye of national selectors after returning early from the Caribbean Premier League to press his case for next year's World Cup.
Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are both expected to appear for NSW in the latter stages of the tournament in their return from back injuries, while Mitch Marsh's absence means Ashton Turner will captain defending champions Western Australia.
Cricket Australia will hope the big-name inclusions, as well as a broadcast deal which features 13 games aired live on Fox Sports, bring renewed interest to a tournament which will launch in the shadow of the AFL and NRL finals.
The return from the broadcasting wilderness comes as the tournament reverts to a six-state format with the CA XI no longer included.
All six teams will be involved in knockout fixtures ahead of an October 10 final at Melbourne's Junction Oval.
