Sydney Sixers spinner Izharulhaq Naveed is in line for a debut on Wednesday with Chris Jordan confirmed out injured, while there were updates on Jhye Richardson, Joe Burns and Tanveer Sangha.
TEAM NEWS
The Brisbane Heat confirmed their 13-man squad for Thursday’s game against the Melbourne Renegades, with Josh Brown ($42k BAT) and Nathan McSweeney ($62k BAT/BWL) added as local replacement players.
Brown was outstanding in Friday’s intrasquad game and smashed 447 runs at 55.8 with a strike rate of 212 in the T20 Max. McSweeney is this season’s fourth leading run scorer in the Marsh Cup, with 268 runs at 53.6 for SA.
Peter Handscomb ($62k BAT/WKP) was the only major news from the Renegades’ squad while Shaun Marsh ($121k BAT) was absent too. The Gades said: “Shaun Marsh continues his recovery from a calf injury and is expected to join the squad in Melbourne in the coming week.”
Heat: Peirson (c), Bartlett, Bazley, Billings, Brown, Bryant, Johnson, Kuhnemann, McSweeney, Munro, Steketee, Swepson, Whiteley
Players to miss out: Renshaw, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Neser, Hain, Heazlett, Prestwidge, Wildermuth
Renegades: Maddinson (c), Finch, Fraser-McGurk, Harper, Harvey, Hosein, Moody, Richardson, Rocchiccioli, Rogers, Russell, Sutherland, Mujeeb, Wells
Players to miss out: Marsh (inj), Evans (inj), Kellapotha, Prestwidge, Harris, Guptill, Handscomb
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UPDATES
Izharulhaq Naveed ($62k BWL) may be set to debut for the Sydney Sixers on Wednesday. Sixers captain Mosies Henriques told cricket.com.au: “Performed well not only in terms of wickets but just with his deliveries, minimal errors & bad balls, ripping the ball hard and into the wicket which I think will be suited to the Australian grounds.
“I was lucky enough to see him play against the Thunder in a couple of T20 trial games and it was pretty impressive to see him go about his business there.”
Henriques revealed that Chris Jordan ($125k BWL) is out due to injury, opening up a spot for Naveed. He said: “Unfortunately, Chris has come down with an injury, he’s having some nerve issues somewhere, but he won’t be available to play until at least the fourth game for us.”
Matthew Wade ($120k BAT/WKP) looks set to bat inside the Hobart Hurricanes top three after comments from coach Jeff Vaughan: He said: “To have Short, Wade and McDermott in the top three is an exciting group. Then some incredible power in the middle with Shadab, David, Asif and Neesham too.”
Vaughan spoke about the likely spin role of Shadab Khan ($125k BAT/BWL). He said: “We’ll use either of those (Shadab and D’Arcy Short as spinners). I think our final 11 will have six or seven, possibly eight bowling options.”
Vaughan wouldn’t confirm if Billy Stanlake ($68k BWL) would return from injury and play first up, but he said: “He’s been bowling fast. He’s been bowling in our centre wickets over the past month. Fast and bouncy. Played his first T20 last weekend. He’s ready fit and strong.”
Melbourne Stars coach Dave Hussey revealed the Joe Burns ($62k BAT) will likely miss four to six weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered in Tuesday’s game. He told FoxCricket: “Joe Burns is a pretty big loss for us. We were basing our number 3 spot around him for the whole year.”
Hussey also talked up Campbell Kellaway ($42k BAT). He said: “Young Victorian kid, he made a good hundred against the South Africans up in Brisbane a few days ago, he’s a real talent. I think he can slot into the middle order for us, if not at the top. He’s a ripper, wants to learn. Works hard at his game. He’s probably more suited to the red ball game at the moment but he’s adaptable.”
The Stars coach was also glowing of Nathan Coulter-Nile ($103k BWL) who starred in Tuesday’s game and spoke about his fitness in a positive sign for his durability. He said: “He’s got something to prove this year. He’s looking really fit and healthy. He wants to win for the Melbourne Stars.”
Sydney Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss offered an update on spinner Tanveer Sangha ($130k BWL) who is out with a back injury. He told cricket.com.au: “We’re unsure at this stage whether he will (play this season) or whether he won’t, but we’re preparing as though he won’t play and if he does play towards the back end, well that’s a bonus.”
Fast bowler Tymal Mills ($167k BWL) has been ruled out for the season in another blow for the Perth Scorchers. The club update said: “Mills will not be available for the 2022-23 KFC Big Bash League season due to a family emergency… Perth is exploring its options to recruit a replacement international player.”
Aaron Hardie offered an update on Jhye Richardson’s ($149k BWL) fitness having battle a heel issue lately. He said: “I faced him out in the middle yesterday and he bowled beautifully. We did some centre-wicket scenarios. Richo is back to his best, not 100% sure if the decision is made yet but if he does get the nod, he’ll be ready to go.”
On his own role, Hardie ($99k BAT/BWL) said: “I’m not 100% sure what the go is for Saturday yet but we’ve spoken about, with players coming in and out, whatever it is Saturday won’t be a lock for the whole season.”
Adam Lyth ($105k BAT) spoke about his role on Tuesday, revealing he will likely open with Faf du Plessis ($180k BAT). He said: “I know Faf (du Plessis) quite well. I opened the batting with him last year in The Hundred, so I’m look forward to hopefully striking up a good partnership with him at the top of the order.”
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