SuperCoach BBL is open and the season proper is fast 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
The Sydney Thunder acted fast to replace David Willey, by signing Afghan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi ($105k BWL) who’ll be available to play in their opening nine games.
Head of Thunder Andrew Gilchrist said: “He is an emerging talent. He joins Thunder in great form after playing exceptional cricket in the World T20 Cup and the Asia Cup tournament.” The Thunder also indicated they’re seeking another overseas player for after Farooqi exits.
Farooqi played all three of Afghanistan’s World Cup games, scoring 150 SC BBL points, with scores of 57, 35 and 58.
The Hobart Hurricanes confirmed the addition of English top-order batsman Zak Crawley ($125k BAT), albeit as an overseas replacement for Shadab Khan ($125k B/B) who’ll be required for national duties for an Pakistan ODI series (games January 11-15), meaning his availability for their Round 8 double is in doubt.
Crawley is in England’s Test squad for a series against Pakistan, with games from December 1-21, so will not arrive earlier than approximately Round 4. He opened the batting in the T20 Blast for Kent this year.
The Melbourne Stars added young fast bowler Cam McClure ($42k BWL), who made his Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield debuts earlier this year. It’s not yet announced, but it seems the Stars have also signed young Victorian batsman Campbell Kellaway.
On the flipside, the Melbourne Renegades confirmed Liam Livingstone ($180k B/B) had withdrawn due to his increasing workload, having been named in the aforementioned England Test series, before heading to SA-20 in January.
The Gades confirmed on Friday they had signed New Zealand top-order batsman Martin Guptill ($160k BAT), who will be available from Round 5 onwards, replacing Andre Russell.
Laurie Evans ($99k BAT) is also out of BBL|12, following a positive anti-doping test result from August 2022, leading to the Perth Scorchers terminating his contract, despite the player pleading his innocence. The Scorchers said: “The Club will explore its options to source a replacement player for the tournament.”
Scorchers High Performance GM Kade Harvey said: “We are looking at a batting position… we have got a few options. We just really want to go and get the best player that’s available for as long as we can. A high-quality player that can probably bat in the top order but have the flexibility with our line-up is what we’re on the hunt for… Faf (du Plessis) would be on that list for sure.”
Check out our list of all the updated squads, with ins and outs
AVAILABILITY CLASHES
Hobart’s bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf ($105k BAT/BWL) has been named in Pakistan’s Tet squad for the aforementioned December series against England, meaning he will be unavailable until around Round 4 or 5. As expected, Asif Ali ($105k BAT) and Shadab Khan ($125k B/B) were not named in that squad.
The Abu Dhabi T10 League also started on Wednesday night, with Peter Hatzoglou ($95k BWL) and James Vince ($99k BAT) among the best performers, but that will be over before BBL|12 starts.
INJURY NEWS
Top of the list is Phil Salt ($125k BAT) who was concussed and appeared to hurt his shoulder in England’s final ODI against Australia on Sunday.
Jhye Richardson ($149k BWL) is continuing to battle with a heel injury too, which forced him to miss the Shield game against NSW this week. Scorchers HP GM Kade Harvey said: “We are hopeful of seeing him at the Gabba for the last Shield game going into the Big Bash and he is doing everything to get himself right.”
FORM GUIDE
Thunder batsman Jason Sangha’s ($177k BAT) lean run with the bat continued in the Sheffield Shield with scores of 20 and 2 against WA. Thunder spinner Chris Green ($119k BWL) did far better in that game, taking nine wickets in his first-class debut.
Oliver Davies ($62k BAT) made a century for the NSW/ACT XI against the West Indies. He said after his knock: “I had a pretty intense off-season. I got a hip arthroscopy and didn’t really know if I’d be back playing cricket to this kind of level. I’m pretty shocked to be hitting them as well as I have been to start the year.”
Another Thunder option Nathan McAndrew ($103k BWL) was Player of the Match in SA’s draw with Queensland, scoring 46* and taking 5-93.
In state Premier Cricket comps, there were centuries for Ben McDermott ($211k W/B) and Clint Hinchliffe ($95k B/B) in Tasmania among others. For a full rundown, go here.
Check out our Premier Cricket game-by-game form guide
