Abbott & Agar made available for R1, Finch & Wade injury updates, Lynn launches in Heat practice game
Sean Abbott and Ashton Agar threw major spanners in the Round 1 mix at the last minute having both suddenly become available, while there were updates on Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade.
TEAM NEWS
The Sydney Sixers (16-man squad) and the Melbourne Stars (14-man squad) confirmed their squads for Sunday’s BBL season opener with one major shock inclusion in Sean Abbott ($169k BWL).
The Sixers revealed in their update: “Sean Abbott is a surprise inclusion (in squad to play the Stars), having returned to Sydney on Friday from Australia A duties, ahead of the birth of his first child.”
It’s worth noting the Sixers’ second game in their double game week in Round 1 is in Launceston against the Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday, so it’s unclear if Abbott would leave his home state with his partner pregnant and due soon.
Ben Dwarshuis ($181k BWL) didn’t make the cut as he’s still working his way back from a side issue. The Sixers update said: “Was not considered for selection as he continues to rehab from a side strain. The club’s leading wicket taker last season is hopeful of returning within 6-10 days.”
Sixers squad: Abbott, Christian, Curran, J.Edwards, M.Edwards, Henriques, Hughes, Jordan, Kerr, Manenti, O’Keefe, Philippe, Pope, Silk, Vince, Winter
Stars squad: Maxwell, Cartwright, Clarke, Couch, Elliott, Faridoun, Hinchliffe, Larkin, Nevill, O’Connell, Rainbird, Stoinis, Webster, Zampa
BUY THE HONEYBALL BBL|11 MAG VIA THIS LINK
UPDATES
Honeyball confirmed that Ashton Agar ($89k BAT/BWL) has been released from Australia A duties and been made available for the Scorchers’ season opener on Wednesday against the Heat.
Mitch Marsh ($132k BAT/BWL) and Josh Inglis ($133k WKP/BAT) are still part of the Australia A squad and will miss the early BBL rounds.
INJURIES
Don’t put a line through Aaron Finch ($62k BAT) just yet, with the Melbourne Renegades stating they will wait until the last minute to make a call on his availability as he recovers from a knee issue.
Renegades coach David Saker told cricket.com.au: “We might miss him, but he might play, he still hasn’t made a decision. We’re going to leave it right to the last minute for him being such an important player for us.”
There was also an update on cricket.com.au about Matthew Wade ($145k BAT/WKP) who has a side worry, with Hobart Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith saying he appears set to recover in time to play their opener on Wednesday.
PRACTICE GAMES
There were no scorecards available, but it looks like Chris Lynn ($172k BAT) and some of the Brisbane Heat bats dined out in their Friday night practice game, judging by their tweet below.
The Strikers had some internal practice games on Saturday but there’s been minimal info filtered out too.
REPLACEMENTS
Arjun Nair (TBC BAT) got added to the Sydney Thunder squad as a replacement player for the injured Brendan Doggett ($176k BWL) who is out with a side strain.
Thunder head of cricket Michael Klinger said: “His bowling provides plenty of versatility. It’s been especially pleasing to see that his batting is going from strength to strength.”
TOMORROW
The opening game! We’ll also get the squads for Monday’s Thunder-Heat game in Canberra.
