BBL News This Week: Afghan all-rounder re-signs, Heat re-sign trio, Neser, Paris & Sos injuries
The Melbourne Renegades rounded out their 18-man roster with the re-signing of a popular import, while the Brisbane Heat made three re-signings and there was a swathe of SuperCoach relevant injury news.
RE-SIGNINGS
The Renegades completed their squad with the re-signing of Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi ($139k BAT/BWL).
Renegades coach David Saker: “His record in the Big Bash speaks for itself and he brings a wealth of experience from playing in T20 tournaments around the world.
“Nabi has been an important part of our middle order and has the ability to change games quickly. He has the flexibility with both bat and ball to play various roles for our team. We’re looking forward to what he can bring this year.”
The Heat also confirmed the re-signings of Max Bryant ($117k BAT), James Bazley ($96k BAT/BWL) and Matthew Kuhnemann ($85k BWL), leaving them with one spot to fill in their 18-man squad.
Check out all the updated BBL|11 squads.
INJURIES
Potential Ashes squad member Michael Neser ($127k BAT/BWL) went off with a hamstring injury on the first day of Queensland’s Sheffield Shield game against WA after missing two games on paternity leave.
Queensland sports science and sports medicine manager Martin Love confirmed on Thursday that Neser has a low grade hamstring strain which will put him in doubt for the upcoming Australia camp, which will have trickle-on impacts on the BBL.
Joel Paris ($62k BWL) also suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of the same game, along with Shaun Marsh ($106k BAT) with a calf problem while batting.
The WACA said that both will be assessed to determine their participation in rest of match. WA teammate Jhye Richardson said: “Obviously I’m not part of the medical communication … but I don’t think they’re overly bad. We’ll see how we go.”
Mujeeb Ur Rahman ($208k BWL) returned from an unspecified injury to play in Afghanistan’s final T20 World Cup game against New Zealand.
Scorchers BBL|10 import Jason Roy won’t be back this season, after suffering a calf injury at the T20 World Cup with England. Roy is targeting a return for England’s late January Caribbean tour.
Check out our comprehensive BBL|11 injury list.
FIXTURES
Last year the BBL fixtures were changed a few weeks out from the season beginning due to the complicated border situation but Cricket Australia’s General Manager of BBL Alistair Dobson confirmed that won’t be the case this week. That’s great news for those planning around doubles and bye rounds.
Dobson said: “It is fantastic to see state borders opening back up… For the BBL, that means pressing on with the full home and away schedule we originally announced in July.”
**Our annual Honeyball BBL digital magazine will be out this month, with interviews with experts including last year’s SuperCoach BBL winner, as well as fixture analysis, form guides, international info, player profiles and much much more. Register your interest for a copy via this link.
FORM GUIDE
Heat re-signing Max Bryant ($117k BAT) smacked 157 from 103 balls in Queensland Premier Cricket, while Scorchers bat Cameron Bancroft ($92k BAT/WKP) brought up his third straight century in WA Premier Cricket. Andrew Tye ($133k BWL) took a 6fa while Heat bat Tom Cooper ($62k BAT) made an unbeaten 98* in SA Premier Cricket.
Mitch Marsh ($132k BAT/BWL) dominated Saturday’s T20 World Cup win over the West Indies, smashing 53 from 32 balls and bowling 0-16 from three overs, equating to 120 SC BBL points.
Check out our latest form guide.
