Mills freed up for Scorchers’ double, Curran injury rumours, Heat bowlers JS boost, Strikers tyro fires
Tymal Mills has been freed up to play both games in the Perth Scorchers’ double game, while speculation swirls around Tom Curran’s injury status and some Heat cheapies’ job security was boosted.
Honeyball SC BBL memberships are on sale! Only $35 season offer or $20 per month. Get access to all HB content, plus our exclusive injury list, comprehensive global T20 leagues form guide, HB Twitter & Whatsapp chats, entry into our members-only SC group (with a SC Champion ring for the winner) and more.
UPDATES
The Perth Scorchers’ home games officially all got moved out of WA, which is a blow for them and their fans, but great news for those wanting to trade in Tymal Mills ($139k BWL) ahead of their Round 4 double game.
Mills would’ve been unavailable to play in WA if Monday’s game against the Hobart Hurricanes proceeded at Optus Stadium due to the state’s border rules following his recent arrival into Australia but that has now been moved to Blundstone Arena freeing him up for both games of their double. That’s probably not good news for Matt Kelly ($138k BWL) owners.
The Sydney Sixers are yet to confirm any specifics on Tom Curran‘s ($170k BAT/BWL) back issue but there has been speculation he has sustained a stress fractures and will be ruled out for the season. We are still awaiting confirmation on that.
There was also some fairly significant news with Australia’s Ashes Test team with Pat Cummins’ COVID-19 scare having a major trickle-on effect for the BBL, with Michael Neser ($127k BAT/BWL) getting his debut meaning he won’t be available for the Brisbane Heat anytime soon.
It also seems that Heat bowler Mark Steketee ($153k BWL) and Hobart’s Scott Boland ($139k BWL) have been flown to Adelaide as cover.
It’s fair to assume those players will not be released for the BBL, given the sudden nature of Cummins’ situation, so that has major repercussions for the job security of Liam Guthrie ($76k BWL) and Xavier Bartlett ($138k BWL), in particular, at the Heat with two key bowlers unavailable.
Amid all that, it turned to be Strikers fast bowler Harry Conway ($89k BWL) who was dining with Cummins so he’ll also be unavailable for a spell.
The SACA said in a statement: “He has been isolating at home since the potential exposure and has not been in contact with any other members of the community, Strikers players or staff.”
INTERNATIONAL CALL-UPS
Some sneaky late news in the day was the upcoming Pakistan-West Indies ODI series (December 18-22) has been postponed until mid-year after a handful of COVID-19 cases among the tourists.
Haris Rauf ($151k BWL) is also part of the series, so he could be freed up to arrive earlier for the Stars. He was expected to be available from December 27 but his schedule has been cleared up.
Andre Russell ($152k BAT/BWL) was not part of that West Indies squad so that won’t mean he’ll stay any longer at the Melbourne Stars. But both sides have several top players who may suddenly become available for BBL clubs, with the Sixers obviously in the market for imports with Chris Jordan‘s ($117k BWL) looming exit and Curran’s injury. Here’s the squad lists.
FORM GUIDE
There was a round of T20 games in SA Premier Cricket on Tuesday too, with Strikers newcomer Thomas Kelly ($51k BAT) the most notable performer after a solid BBL debut on Saturday.
Honeyball SC BBL memberships are on sale! Only $35 season offer or $20 per month. Get access to all HB content, plus our exclusive injury list, comprehensive global T20 leagues form guide, HB Twitter & Whatsapp chats, entry into our members-only SC group (with a SC Champion ring for the winner) and more.
