Round 1 is done but it’s a quick turnaround in SuperCoach BBL, with Round 2 starting on Thursday, so to help you navigate your trades (note the Adelaide Strikers have the double and play first) we’ve assessed the likely XIs this round.

Thursday – Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades

These two sides meet for the second time in three days after the Gades won on Monday. Adelaide is forced into one change with Ryan Gibson injured and they’ll likely want to reinforce their batting with Liam Scott probably picked ahead of youngster Thomas Kelly. Fawad Ahmed is still not fit.

It’s hard to see the Gades making too many changes after starting the season with a win but Englishman left-armer Reece Topley could possibly lose his spot after an unconvincing debut, with Zak Evans a potential replacement. They may back him in though.

Strikers

Probable In/Out: L.Scott/R.Gibson (inj)

Doubtful: Fawad Ahmed (inj)

Unavailable: A.Carey (Ashes), T.Head (Ashes), M.Renshaw (Aus A), R.Gibson (inj)

1 J.Weatherald
2 M.Short
3 H.Nielsen (wk)
4 J.Wells
5 D.Drew
6 L.Scott
7 G.Garton
8 Rashid Khan
9 D.Worrall
10 W.Agar
11 P.Siddle
12th T.Kelly/L.O’Connor

Renegades

Probable In/Out: No change

Unavailable: M.Harris (Ashes), N.Maddinson (Aus), S.Marsh (inj), A.Finch (inj), U.Chand (import quota)

1 M.Harvey
2 S.Harper (wk)
3 J.Fraser-McGurk
4 J.Seymour
5 Mohammad Nabi
6 J.Merlo
7 W.Sutherland
8 J.Pattinson
9 K.Richardson
10 R.Topley
11 Zahir Khan
12th Z.Evans/J.Prestwidge

Friday – Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder

Expect mass changes for the Stars after being hammered by the Sydney Sixers in the opening game, with four big inclusions. Andre Russell and Qais Ahmed are set to get out of quarantine in time to play, forcing out some cash cows. Marcus Stoinis is fit after a side issue while Nathan Coulter-Nile has flown in from Perth.

The only question is if the more senior fast bowler Sam Rainbird – who was expensive against the Sixers – holds his spot ahead of Sam Elliott or Brody Couch. Elliott or Couch could plausibly also be preferred ahead of middle-order bat Beau Webster, who didn’t bowl against the Sixers. If Qais plays, as expected, fellow spinner and import Syed Faridoun is likely out. Joe Burns is closing in on a return from a knee complaint too, but this may be too soon.

It’s hard to see the Thunder make any changes after a good win on Monday over the Brisbane Heat.

Stars

Probable In/Out: M.Stoinis, N.Coulter-Nile, Qais Ahmed, A.Russell/P.Nevill, B.Couch, Syed Faridoun, S.Elliott

Doubtful: J.Burns (inj)

Unavailable: B.Stanlake (inj), S.Gotch (inj), L.Hatcher (inj), Syed Faridoun (import quota), Ahmad Daniyal (import quota)

1 M.Stoinis
2 J.Clarke (wk)
3 N.Larkin
4 G.Maxwell
5 H.Cartwright
6 B.Webster
7 A.Russell
8 N.Coulter-Nile
9 S.Rainbird
10 A.Zampa
11 Qais Ahmed
12th B.Couch/P.Nevill

Thunder

Probable In/Out: No change

Unavailable: B.Doggett (inj), O.Davies (inj), U.Khawaja (Ashes), S.Mahmood (Eng Lions)

1 A.Hales
2 S.Whiteman
3 M.Gilkes
4 S.Billings (wk)
5 A.Ross
6 D.Sams
7 B.Cutting
8 N.McAndrew
9 C.Green
10 G.Sandhu
11 T.Sangha
12th J.Sangha/C.Tremain

Saturday – Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes

The Sixers are flying with two wins from two games and meet the side they beat on Wednesday once again. Given the game is in Sydney, Sean Abbott is a chance to play as he and his partner await the birth of their child. Ben Manenti is injured and will drop out of the XI, while Ben Dwarshuis is getting closer to a return which could also threaten Hayden Kerr’s spot. Dan Hughes seemed to pick up a finger concern on Wednesday, which may open up a spot for Jack Edwards. Veteran Steve O’Keefe may be due a rest too.

Hurricanes import Jordan Thompson should be available after coming into close contact with a positive COVID-19 case, forcing him to miss the first game. Jordan Cox would make way for him. They may consider playing spinner Wil Parker at the SCG but it’d be hard to drop either Nathan Ellis, Joel Paris or Tom Rogers.

Sixers

Probable In/Out: S.Abbott/B.Manenti

Doubtful: B.Dwarshuis (inj), D.Hughes (inj)

Unavailable: J.Bird (inj), N.Lyon (Ashes), B.Manenti (inj)

1 J.Philippe (wk)
2 J.Vince
3 D.Hughes
4 M.Henriques
5 J.Silk
6 D.Christian
7 T.Curran
8 H.Kerr
9 C.Jordan
10 S.Abbott
11 S.O’Keefe
12th J.Edwards/N.Winter

Hurricanes

Probable In/Out: J.Thompson/J.Cox

Doubtful: M.Owen (inj)

Unavailable: H.Brook (Eng Lions), S.Boland (Aus A), R.Meredith (inj), B.McDermott (inj), J.Cox (import quota)

1 M.Wade (wk)
2 D.Short
3 P.Handscomb
4 C.Jewell
5 T.David
6 T.Lammonby
7 J.Thompson
8 N.Ellis
9 J.Paris
10 T.Rogers
11 Sandeep Lamichhane
12th J.Kann/W.Parker

Saturday – Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers

The Scorchers may be posed with a dilemma for their bowling options with English import Tymal Mills set to be available to play, given this game is in Sydney where he’s about to finish quarantine. Matt Kelly would’ve been the likely casualty but his 4fa against the Heat reinforced his spot, while Peter Hatzoglou struggled in that game and also seemed to hurt his ankle yet played on. They may rest him. Ashton Agar can offer their spin option at the Sydney Showgrounds.

The Strikers play on Thursday night which will impact their likely selection for Saturday. Ex-Scorchers and Thunder spinner Fawad Ahmed – who has played a lot of cricket at the Showgrounds – could be in contention to return by then.

Scorchers

Probable In/Out: T.Mills/P.Hatzoglou

Unavailable: M.Marsh (Aus A), J.Inglis (Aus A), L.Morris (inj), C.Connolly (inj), T.Mills (T10 League), J.Richardson (Ashes)

1 C.Munro
2 C.Bancroft (wk)
3 K.Patterson
4 L.Evans
5 A.Turner
6 A.Hardie
7 A.Agar
8 A.Tye
9 J.Behrendorff
10 M.Kelly
11 T.Mills
12th N.Hobson/P.Hatzoglou

Strikers

Probable In/Out: Dependent on Wednesday game

Doubtful: Fawad Ahmed (inj)

Unavailable: A.Carey (Ashes), T.Head (Ashes), M.Renshaw (Aus A), R.Gibson (inj)

1 J.Weatherald
2 M.Short
3 H.Nielsen (wk)
4 J.Wells
5 D.Drew
6 L.Scott
7 G.Garton
8 Rashid Khan
9 D.Worrall
10 W.Agar
11 P.Siddle
12th T.Kelly/L.O’Connor

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