The Perth Scorchers confirmed the extent of Mitch Marsh’s side strain which will see him miss games, while Glenn Maxwell provided an update on Marcus Stoinis’ potential return to bowling.
SQUAD NEWS
The Heat named an 18-man squad for Thursday’s clash with the Melbourne Renegades, with the inclusion of big South African quick Morne Morkel ($138k BWL) after an ankle injury. Mujeeb Ur Rahman ($203k BWL) is out due to Afghanistan duty.
On Morkel, Heat teammate Jack Wildermuth may have spilled the beans of their plans, when he said: “Hopefully Morne is pretty close. I believe he’s an X-factor tomorrow night. That’s exciting.”
Joe Denly ($111k BAT) appears likely to play after a finger dislocation. Wildermuth said: “It looked like he batted pretty well (at training) and participated in some fielding so as far as I’m concerned he’s OK.”
News breaker Wildermuth also revealed that Matt Kuhnemann ($73k BWL) will likely come into the side as a spin option for the departed Mujeeb.
Wildermuth said: “I think young Matt Kuhnemann will come in and get a chance. He’s played a couple of games this year. He played a game in Canberra too. He’ll come in & do a role for us.”
Heat squad: Bartlett, Bazley, Burns, Bryant, Cooper, Denly, Gregory, Heazlett, Kuhnemann, Laughlin, Lynn, Milenko, Morkel, Pfeffer, Peirson, Steketee, Wildermuth. Wood
The Renegades named an extended 18-man squad on Thursday morning to play the Heat on Thursday night, with Shaun Marsh ($137k BAT) returning to the side after his wife gave birth to their third child in Perth.
In-form Victorian Premier Cricket wicketkeeper-batsman Brayden Stepien ($ TBC – WKP/BAT) is also included as a replacement player for Cameron Boyce ($121k BWL), while Rilee Rossouw ($104k BAT) remains out with his hamstring injury.
The Gades said in a statement: “Rilee Rossouw is continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury & is in contention to return for the Renegades next match.”
Renegades squad: Finch, Noor Ahmad, Couch, Evans, Fraser-McGurk, Harper, Harvey, Hatzoglou, Holland, Lalor, Marsh, Perry, Prestwidge, Richardson, Stepien, Sutherland, Imad Wasim, Webster
VIDEOS
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UPDATES
The Perth Scorchers confirmed the news every SuperCoach was waiting, that Mitch Marsh ($169k BAT/BWL) has sustained a moderate grade left side strain and will miss games.
WACA Sports Science Sports Medicine Manager Nick Jones said: “Mitch will begin a short rehabilitation period and return as a batter when ready later in the tournament. We do not expect Mitch will be ready to return as a bowler for the remainder of the BBL.”
Stars captain Glenn Maxwell offered some big updates on RSN, particularly about the possible return to bowling of Marcus Stoinis ($169k BAT/BWL).
Maxwell said: “There’s positive signs with Marcus Stoinis’ bowling as well. With him back bowling, it gives our team a lot better variety & makes us more balanced.”
Speaking about Nathan Coulter-Nile ($203k BWL) who has a calf injury, Maxwell said: “We’re hoping to have Coults back in the next couple of games.”
On Haris Rauf ($198k BWL), Maxwell said: “He bowls key overs for us. Unfortunately so far he hasn’t quite executed as well as he would’ve liked. We know Haris is excited to get back to the MCG and we think he’ll have a massive impact at the back end of the tournament.”
Meanwhile, the Stars and Ben Dunk ($68k WKP/BAT) mutually agreed on a release from remainder of his contract. He’s expected to play in the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 League which has a bunch of BBL players signed up too.
Dunk said: “This was a difficult decision that will allow me to explore other playing opportunities.”
Chris Green ($161k BWL) missed the Thunder’s loss to the Sixers on Wednesday night with minor calf pain.
The Thunder said in a statement: “Chris Green has been ruled out of tonight’s match as a precaution after pulling up from training with a left calf muscle pain.”
THURSDAY
We’ll learn the squads for Round 10’s opening match between the Stars, on a double, and the Strikers, while Round 9 will conclude with the Heat-Renegades clash.
