The full fixture list for the 2020-21 Big Bash League finally got announced, while the new signings subsided with the beginning of some injury and selection news starting trickling through plus we’ve got a bumper form guide.

As always, there’s a lot to digest, so here we’ve tried to break it all down in a SuperCoach BBL relevant manner and explain what matters. Hopefully it helps!

FULL FIXTURES

The venues for the BBL|10 matches are the New Year period have been confirmed. After missing out initially, it’s been confirmed games will be played at Adelaide Oval, Perth’s Optus Stadium, Sydney’s Showground Stadium and the SCG, Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and the MCG.

It’s arguable if venues have much impact from a SuperCoach BBL perspective but it is important to note the impact of travel, particularly for older or injury-prone players, along with how certain pitches play.

UPDATES

Jason Behrendorff ($120k BWL) spoke to the media on Thursday, discussing his return from a long-term back injury, having played a handful of WA Premier Cricket games recently.

It seems like the left-arm quick is on track for the Scorchers’ Round 1 game against the Melbourne Renegades on Saturday 12 December.

Behrendorff said: “On track. The back is great. I’m in a pretty good space to get out there and play some serious cricket. I feel as close to 100% as I have in a long time.”

Mitch Marsh ($164k BAT/BWL) also did the media rounds earlier in the week, providing an update on his ankle injury which has recovered slower than hoped.

Marsh said: “It’s been quite slow. Hopefully I’m a couple of weeks away, for the start of BBL I’ll be right.

“I’m hopeful (for Australia A). I’ll probably be ruled in or out by Friday. I’ve got a few things to tick off.”

Honeyball understands the Heat are sweating on Mujeeb Ur Rahman ($115k BWL) arriving in time after travel delays, meaning he’ll be tight to make their first game with the 14-day mandatory quarantine.

Brisbane’s first game is on Friday 11 December against Melbourne Stars in Canberra. Their second game is on Monday 14 December.

Morne Morkel ($138k BWL) won’t be there for either game due to an ankle injury, but they’re hoping he’ll be OK for their third game on Wednesday 23 December.

Alex Carey ($165k BAT/WKP) confirmed he won’t arrive in time for Adelaide’s first game on Sunday 13 December against Hobart due to Australia A duty.

Carey said: “I’ll head down to Hobart and join the Strikers for the second game. I think my first game will be on December 15.” That will impact SuperCoaches hoping to jag him for both of Adelaide’s double game rounds in Rounds 2-3.

His Strikers’ teammate Jake Weatherald ($122k BAT) appears likely to be good to go after a mental health break.

Adelaide coach Jason Gillespie told SEN SA: “Jakey is really good. He just needed a bit of a time out. He’s got a strong support group around him.”

SIGNINGS

The signings have slowed down with most clubs settled on their main rosters but keep an eye out for supplementary additions (aka replacement players) as the season comes closer.

The new recruits this week were low profile players Liam Hatcher ($42k BWL) to the Stars and Liam Scott ($42k BAT/BWL) and Spencer Johnson ($42k BWL) to the Strikers.

Melbourne Stars have also promised to announce their final international soon, so watch this space, but expect it to be a bowler.

Nick Larkin ($100k BAT) and Jackson Coleman ($96k BWL) were re-signed by the Stars and Alex Carey ($165k BAT/WKP) at Adelaide as expected too, despite some strange speculation to the contrary.

FORM GUIDE

There’s no international cricket to work with yet, so we’ve turned to state ranks, with some impressive performances in the state club cricket, if that’s any form of indication. We’ll only mention the key ones, otherwise we’d be here all day. If you want all the players, check out our Twitter feed on Mondays.

In NSW’s T20 matches on Sunday, Sydney Thunder’s Nathan McAndrew ($84k BWL) took 3-22 (4) and blasted 27 off 23 balls, while teammate spinner Chris Green ($107k BWL) and Jono Cook ($124k BWL) took 3-24 and 2-24 respectively.

Melbourne Stars re-signing Nick Larkin ($100k BAT) made 31 from 37, while Josh Lalor ($134k BWL) hit a late six in a four-ball cameo of 10* to win the game for his side after taking 0-29 (4).

Ben Dwarshuis ($152k BWL) took 2-17 and hit 15 from 12, while Dan Christian ($165k BAT/BWL) smashed 30 from 14 balls and took 2-12 from three overs including a maiden in a high-scoring game.

Ben Manenti ($125k BWL) claimed 2-20, Bailey Holt ($42k WKP/BAT) opened and made 29 from 18, while Jack Edwards ($62k BAT) scored 26 from 14 balls, including four fours and a six, a day after a superb century in two-day cricket. Edwards made 107 from 119 balls.

In WA Premier Cricket, Jhye Richardson ($166k BWL) bowled 10 overs and took 2-41, while Jason Behrendorff ($120k BWL) took 1-22 from five overs.

In the Cricket Tasmania Premier League, James Faulkner ($155k BWL) hit 75 from 58 balls and took 2-17 from six overs.

In Queensland First Grade, Heat all-rounder James Bazley ($42k BAT/BWL) amassed 158 from 105 balls.

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