McDermott ruled out, Parker overlooked, vague Sixers, Heat import
Ben McDermott may have seemed a lock on Monday but that quickly was unlocked after his Australia A call-up while the Brisbane Heat are reportedly close to a new English import.
TEAM NEWS
Ben McDermott ($89k WKP/BAT) was the big story of the day, selected in the Australia A 12-man squad to play India from December 11-13, meaning he’ll miss Hobart’s Round 1 game.
McDermott will also miss the Hurricanes’ first game of the double game in Round 2. That opens up the top order, although Colin Ingram ($125k BAT) and Will Jacks ($148k BAT/BWL) opened in a trial game on Monday, while D’Arcy Short ($245k BAT/BWL) will re-join the side and open.
Wil Parker ($42k BWL) also wasn’t selected, while Johan Botha ($85k BWL), Caleb Jewell ($71k BAT) and Tim David ($62k BAT/BWL) were selected in a 14-man squad.
Sydney Sixers named an extended 16-man squad which didn’t offer any insights given their lengthy list of absentees, so we’ll have to wait until it gets trimmed to 13 on Thursday.
UPDATES
Scorchers import Colin Munro ($160k BAT) looks set to open the batting to start to the BBL while English pair Jason Roy ($160k BAT) and Liam Livingstone ($166k BAT/BWL) are unavailable.
Munro said: “I’ll bat anywhere the team needs. I’m pretty flexible. If they see them batting at the top of the order at the start, I’ll do that. When the Poms get here, I’ll jump in & bat wherever, 3 or 4 or wherever.”
It seems unlikely we’ll see Will Pucovski ($42k BAT) in the BBL any time but his concussion throws a spanner among the works.
Australia team doctor John Orchard said: “Will experienced mild concussion symptoms but was able to leave the field unassisted. Will will remain with the Australia A squad but will not play in the three-day tour match against India.”
Stars coach offered some insight into Dilbar Hussain ($62k BWL), when he said: “Dilbar played one game last year against Brisbane Heat and he’s really elevated his game this year and more recently in the PSL final so we’ve got good depth in fast bowling.”
CALL-UPS
The following players were named in the Australia A 12-man squad to play India A from December 11-13 in a day-night match. They won’t be available in any BBL games until December 16 at the earliest.
Sean Abbott, Joe Burns, Alex Carey (c, wk), Harry Conway, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Moises Henriques, Nic Maddinson, Ben McDermott, Mark Steketee, Will Sutherland, Mitchell Swepson
RUMOURS
ABC are claiming that Joe Denly ($ TBC – BAT) is close to signing with Brisbane Heat as a replacement player for Tom Banton from Christmas onwards.
Many expected Dan Lawrence ($125k BAT) to sign on for the remainder of the season to replace Banton, but he may get an England Test call-up.
Lawrence said: “It depends whether Brisbane Heat want to re-sign me as well. I’m going to try my best for the first five games, see how I go and whatever comes my way comes way.”
