All in all, a dozen players who have come through the Cricket ACT development system are either on full, rookie or supplementary contracts with one of the eight BBL teams.

It's enough for Canberra to field its own team.

That's the long-term goal of Cricket ACT, whenever Cricket Australia decides it is ready to expand the rapidly growing domestic Twenty20 comeptition.

Manuka Oval will already be involved as the host of this season's grand final on January 28.

It is an announcement that split opinions throughout the cricketing landscape, many wondering about the benefits of having a neutral venue.

Former England international Kevin Pietersen was one of the most scathing, displaying his amazement in a series of tweets.

Pietersen is one of the tournament's biggest drawcards in his first stint with the Melbourne Stars, who kick off the tournament against the Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval.

However, the Canberra public has displayed its appetite for elite cricket and Cricket Australia is confident of selling out the final.

A near-capacity crowd turned out for last month's one-day international between Australia and South Africa at Manuka Oval at a time when the two games in Perth struggled to draw a crowd.

But for now, the closest Canberra will get is following the city's players in their respective teams.

While Pietersen and West Indies master blaster Kieron Pollard will garner all the headlines, Alex Ross is content to be a minor component in the mayhem.

The 22-year-old spent three years in Canberra, playing first-grade for Queanbeyan and Eastlake, along with under-17s and under-19s for the ACT, before making the move to South Australia.

After spending the past three years as a supplementary player for the Strikers, Ross has been given his chance with a full contract.

He was elated to be in the match-day 13-man squad for the season opener against the Stars.

"I'm extremely excited, it was a great call to receive," Ross said.

"It's a little bit more of a circus compared to state cricket and one-day cricket.

"In terms of nerves, I can't really speak of that until I'm out in the middle facing the first ball, but I'm just excited about the challenge and the opportunity to play in front of 30,000."

Weston Creek Molonglo opening batsman Jono Dean missed out on being included in the Strikers' match-day squad.

The Sydney Sixers have the biggest contingent of Canberra players, although Brad Haddin and Nathan Lyon's involvement will be limited due to commitments with the Australian Test team.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Ryan Carters has moved to the Sixers after being with the Sydney Thunder, while rising star Matt Condon is on a rookie contract.

Left-arm paceman Jason Behrendorff will lead the bowling attack for the Perth Scorchers after playing a crucial role in their BBL title last season.

Fellow left-armer Nick Winter has joined the Melbourne Renegades alongside coach Simon Helmot, who previously coached the ACT Comets.

Former Queanbeyan captain Aaron Ayre and all-rounder Will Sheridan are on supplementary contracts with the Melbourne Stars, as is Andrew Harriott with the Thunder.

Off-spinner all-rounder Jason Floros earned a late call-up to the Brisbane Heat after playing with the Thunder.

Cricket ACT high-performance manager Andrew Dawson said having a dozen players from Canberra in the BBL showed the pathway to elite cricket was working.

"A lot of those guys have done really well in the BBL in the last few years," Dawson said.

"It shows that we're doing our job as a bit of a nursery for Cricket Australia and the eight BBL franchises.

"Alex [Ross] has been a bit unlucky with hand injuries, but I reckon in the next couple of years he could explode on the scene as a short-format cricketer."

CANBERRA PLAYERS IN THE BIG BASH LEAGUE

PERTH SCORCHERS

Jason Behrendorff

ADELAIDE STRIKERS

Jono Dean, Alex Ross

MELBOURNE RENEGADES

Nick Winter

Simon Helmot (coach)

MELBOURNE STARS

Aaron Ayre (supplementary contract)

Will Sheridan (supplementary contract)

SYDNEY SIXERS

Brad Haddin

Nathan Lyon

Ryan Carters

Matt Condon (rookie contract)

SYDNEY THUNDER

Andrew Harriott (supplementary contract)

BRISBANE HEAT

Jason Floros