SuperCoach BBL is open and the season proper is approaching. We appreciate it’s tough to stay across all the news this early, so we’ll aggregate all the important stuff in one spot each week in the lead-up to Round 1.
SIGNING NEWS
Thunder draftee David Willey ($149k BAT/BWL) pulled out of BBL|12, which was significant for SuperCoach starting teams, given the Thunder’s back-to-back doubles to open the season.
The Thunder said in an update: “Willey has advised Sydney Thunder he will not be playing in this summer’s KFC BBL competition… Thunder’s management have come to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.”
Check out our list of all the updated squads, with ins and outs
AVAILABILITY ISSUES
Trent Boult ($180k BWL) was overlooked for NZ’s squad for an ODI/T20I series against India this week, although that won’t impact his BBL availability. That will come down to if he’s selected for the Test series against Pakistan which looks quite unlikely, especially having missed the white-ball squad to face India. Boult opted out of his NZ central contract earlier this year.
The upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 League will see numerous BBL contracted players depart this week, although this will not clash with BBL|12. It will provide a handy form guide.
The players are Chris Lynn, Peter Hatzoglou, Andrew Tye, Dan Christian, Ben Cutting, Tim David, Chris Green, Phil Salt, Alex Hales, Tymal Mills, Ross Whiteley, Laurie Evans, Colin Munro, Joe Clarke, Akeal Hosein, Andre Russell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Luke Wood, Rilee Rossouw and Adam Hose.
INJURIES
News emerged on Sunday that Stars captain Glenn Maxwell ($184k B/B) had broken his leg, which looks set to rule him out for most of the BBL, although coach Dave Hussey was hopeful he may play the back-end.
Hussey told RSN: “No dates have actually been set on his comeback but speaking to Glenn directly, he’s pretty hopeful of being back at the end of the BBL and then targeting the Indian Test tour.”
FORM GUIDE
There was a full round of Marsh Cup this week, with Sixers batsman Daniel Hughes ($84k BAT) scoring 101 from 114 balls for NSW. Hughes has scored three centuries in four Marsh Cup games this season.
Sixers recruit Kurtis Patterson ($127k BAT) scored 92 in the same game against Tasmania, while Thunder spinner Chris Green took 4-20.
Strikers batsman Henry Hunt ($62k BAT) made a century against WA, while Henry Thornton ($163k BWL) took a 3fa in that game. Josh Inglis ($87k W/B) showed he was over his recent hand injury with 85 from 70 balls.
Heat bowler Michael Neser ($107k B/B) took 3-48 against Victoria on Tuesday, extending his fine form this season, having taken 24 wickets in four Shield games and 11 wickets in four Marsh Cup games.
Check out our Premier Cricket game-by-game form guide
Young Thunder batsman Ollie Davies ($62k BAT) made 115 from 106 in a tour match for NSW/ACT XI against the West Indies.
Stars import Luke Wood ($105k BAT/BWL) made his ODI debut for England against Australia on Thursday, but struggled with 0-59 from 10 overs. Stars spinner Adam Zampa took 3-55 in that game.
The T20 World Cup wrapped up on Sunday as well, with Hurricanes recruit Shadab Khan ($125k B/B) taking 1-20 and scoring 20, for 80 SC BBL points in the final against England.
Check out our T20 World Cup SC BBL points breakdown
