Confused by the Test players’ availability? Player-by-player movements explained

Are you confused by the availability of Australia’s Test players when it comes to the BBL? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, so we’ve gone through each individually from a SuperCoach BBL perspective.

The key news is they’ll start trickling back on Thursday night when the Strikers play the Heat, pending negative COVID-19 tests, with the SA government providing exemptions.

A handful will not play for a variety of reasons while some are uncontracted. We’ve assembled this list in order of their likely return.

TEST PLAYERS

Travis Head ($173k BAT/BWL) – flown to Adelaide and was granted an exemption by SA meaning he’s available to play for the Strikers in Thursday’s match (R11) against the Heat, pending a negative COVID-19 test. Named in squad. Will slot into their XI as captain and bat in the top four. Matt Renshaw may drop down the order, while Ryan Gibson likely to make way.

Michael Neser ($142k BAT/BWL) – same as Head in terms of logistics. Named in squad. Likely comes into the side for Cameron Valente and bats at 7 and bowls four overs as a genuine all-rounder. Peter Siddle’s potential return from injury creates complexity among their bowling line-up.

Mitch Swepson ($105k BWL) – initially flown to Melbourne with a view to returning in Saturday’s game (R12) in Melbourne against the Renegades but has since been granted an exemption by the SA government, meaning he’s available for Thursday’s game (R11) against the Strikers, pending a negative COVID-19 test. Named in squad. Likely replaces Matt Kuhnemann in the XI.

Marnus Labuschagne ($64k BAT/BWL) – same as Swepson in terms of logistics. Named in squad. Likely to play but creates a conundrum for Heat coaches. May slot in for Max Bryant, forcing a batting line-up re-shuffle or potentially a bowler drops out such as Xavier Bartlett who’s been X-factored out the past two games. Given Heat’s all-round options, unclear if he’ll bowl.

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Ben Somerford

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