Round 1 of the 2022-23 Big Bash League concluded in remarkable circumstances but there’s no time to waste with Round 2 commencing on Saturday with the Perth Scorchers on a double.
Note, the Melbourne Stars and the Brisbane Heat both have byes on a four-game round.
Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers
Saturday 17 December, Optus Stadium, 4:05pm local time (7:05pm AEDT)
Scorchers
Perth’s batting line-up finally seems to have settled down after losing Mitch Marsh, Phil Salt and Laurie Evans late in the piece, with Adam Lyth and Faf du Plessis to open together like they have done in The Hundred for Northern Superchargers. Cameron Bancroft seems to have wo the battle to take up Marsh’s spot and come in first drop, following excellent recent form, instead of Aaron Hardie, who may drop to 6 and struggle to bowl much, given the attack on offer.
Jhye Richardson’s fitness isn’t assured which could open the door for Matt Kelly. Tymal Mills was ruled out of BBL|12 this week, meaning Kelly is next cab off the rank, while Lance Morris hasn’t been released from Test duty yet.
Spinner Peter Hatzoglou should play but Perth may use Kelly as a fourth quick given the conditions favourable to fast bowlers seen at Optus Stadium in recent times. That feels unlikely though, but possible.
Unavailable: Cameron Green (Test duty), Mitch Marsh (ankle), Phil Salt (shoulder), Tymal Mills (personal), Lance Morris (Test duty)
1 A.Lyth
2 F.du Plessis
3 C.Bancroft
4 J.Inglis
5 A.Turner
6 A.Hardie
7 A.Agar
8 J.Richardson
9 A.Tye
10 J.Behrendorff
11 P.Hatzoglou
12th N.Hobson
Sixers
The injured Chris Jordan is yet to arrive in Australia so the Sixers have replaced him in the squad with Afghan right-arm fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq who may come in for this game. Jackson Bird is another option, who may relish the conditions, particularly with his ability to generate swing in the power play. Ben Dwarshuis was poor first-up and could be left out, to make way for both.
Veteran spinner Steve O’Keefe was named in the 16-man squad for this game but may be rested to avoid the cross-country travel, particularly on a wicket which may not be conducive to spin. He’s also previously voiced his dislike of WA. Izhalrulhaq Naveed should hold his spot after an impressive debut.
Ins: J.Bird
Outs: S.O’Keefe
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (Test duty), Chris Jordan (injury)
1 J.Philippe
2 K.Patterson
3 J.Vince
4 M.Henriques
5 J.Silk
6 H.Kerr
7 D.Christian
8 S.Abbott
9 B.Dwarshuis
10 J.Bird
11 Izhalrulhaq Naveed
12th D.Hughes
Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder
Sunday 18 December, Marvel Stadium, 7:15pm AEDT/local time
Renegades
The Gades enjoyed an excellent win over the Heat, so it’s hard to see them making any changes. Jake Fraser-McGurk failed against the Heat and is yet to convince at BBL level, but likely gets a few more opportunities, although Mackenzie Harvey is an option, while Shaun Marsh isn’t yet available. Peter Handscomb seems a back-up option for now.
Will Sutherland came into the BBL with good form but will need to do more to hold his spot, scoring 1* from 1 at eight and bowling two overs for 0-10. He should be elevated back above Akeal Hosein in the batting order, at least.
No changes
Unavailable: Marcus Harris (Test duty), Shaun Marsh (calf), Zac Evans (pectoral)
1 S.Harper
2 N.Maddinson
3 J.Fraser-McGurk
4 A.Finch
5 J.Wells
6 A.Russell
7 W.Sutherland
8 A.Hosein
9 T.Rogers
10 K.Richardson
11 Mujeeb Ur Rahman
12th M.Harvey
Thunder
It’s unfathomable that the Thunder could make no changes after being bowled out for a pitiful 15. Ben Cutting is a likely inclusion for batting power and experience after they capitulated. Cutting could be elevated to open after back-to-back ducks for Matthew Gilkes, but the selectors may offer the wicketkeeper-batsman an opportunity to redeem himself. There’s no guarantees though, with gloveman Baxter Holt waiting in the wings.
Nathan McAndrew was stiff to miss the Thunder’s first two games, but seems a logical inclusion for Brendan Doggett after a busy workload. Spinner Usman Qadir has arrived in Australia but is unlikely to break in yet.
Ins: Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew
Outs: Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett
Unavailable: David Warner (Test duty), Tanveer Sangha (back)
1 A.Hales
2 M.Gilkes
3 R.Rossouw
4 J.Sangha
5 A.Ross
6 D.Sams
7 B.Cutting
8 N.McAndrew
9 C.Green
10 G.Sandhu
11 F.Farooqi
12th O.Davies
Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers
Monday 19 December, University of Tasmania Stadium, 7:15pm AEDT/local time
Hurricanes
The Canes’ batting line-up looks stacked so it’s hard to see them change anything except the order, with Tim David potentially ahead of Shadab Khan. Spinner Paddy Dooley was good against the Stars in their 38-run loss but may be the fall guy for either of their back-up quicks Chris Tremain or Billy Stanlake, if he’s deemed fit to play.
Ins: B.Stanlake
Outs: P.Dooley
Unavailable: Zak Crawley (Test duty), Faheem Ashraf (Test duty)
1 B.McDermott
2 D.Short
3 M.Wade
4 Shadab Khan
5 T.David
6 Asif Ali
7 J.Neesham
8 N.Ellis
9 J.Paris
10 B.Stanlake
11 R.Meredith
12th P.Dooley
Scorchers
This side will depend on performance in Saturday’s game but it’s worth noting Perth named their 15-man squad on Friday for both games. Lance Morris isn’t in that squad.
Changes dependent on Saturday’s game performance but scope to rotate bowlers on short turnaround
Unavailable: Cameron Green (Test duty), Mitch Marsh (ankle), Phil Salt (shoulder), Tymal Mills (personal), Lance Morris (Test duty)
1 A.Lyth
2 F.du Plessis
3 C.Bancroft
4 J.Inglis
5 A.Turner
6 A.Hardie
7 A.Agar
8 J.Richardson
9 A.Tye
10 J.Behrendorff
11 P.Hatzoglou
12th N.Hobson
Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder
Tuesday 20 December, Adelaide Oval, 6:45pm local time (7:15pm AEDT)
Strikers
Unavailable: Travis Head (Test duty), Alex Carey (Test duty), Cameron Boyce (calf)
It’s hard to see the Strikers making any changes after completely dismantling the Sydney Thunder and claiming a first-up win over the Sydney Sixers. Jake Weatherald is beginning to come under some pressure to hold his spot, with Henry Hunt waiting in the wings, but should get another chance or two.
No changes
Unavailable: Travis Head (Test duty), Alex Carey (Test duty), Cameron Boyce (calf)
1 M.Short
2 J.Weatherald
3 C.Lynn
4 A.Hose
5 C.de Grandhomme
6 T.Kelly
7 H.Nielsen
8 Rashid Khan
9 H.Thornton
10 W.Agar
11 P.Siddle
12th B.Manenti
Thunder
The Thunder will have played four games in eight days in four different cities upon the conclusion of this game, so there’s scope for rotation.
Changes dependent on Sunday’s game performance but scope to rotate bowlers on short turnaround.
Unavailable: David Warner (Test duty), Tanveer Sangha (back)
1 A.Hales
2 M.Gilkes
3 R.Rossouw
4 J.Sangha
5 A.Ross
6 D.Sams
7 B.Cutting
8 N.McAndrew
9 C.Green
10 G.Sandhu
11 F.Farooqi
12th O.Davies
