Cricket Australia have confirmed that Michael Neser has been released from the squad for the MCG Test, making him available for the Brisbane Heat’s Round 3 double.
TEAM NEWS
The Hobart Hurricanes made one change to their 14-man squad to face the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Thursday, with spinner Wil Parker ($71k BWL) replacing Billy Stanlake ($68k BWL).
The Sixers named a wider 16-man squad with Chris Jordan ($125k BWL) still out due to injury.
Sixers: Abbott, Bird, Christian, Dwarshuis, J.Edwards, Henriques (c), Hughes, Kerr, Murphy, Izharulhaq Naveed, Naveen ul-Haq, O’Keefe, Patterson, Philippe, Silk, Vince
Hurricanes: Asif Ali, David, Dooley, Ellis, Jewell, Shadab Khan, McDermott, Meredith, Neesham, Paris, Parker, Short, Tremain, Wade (c)
UPDATES
Honeyball has been informed by Cricket Australia that Michael Neser ($107k BAT/BWL) has been released from the Australia squad for the MCG Test, with the return of Josh Hazlewood, making him available for both games of the Brisbane Heat’s Round 3 double (December 21 and December 23).
The Australian Test squad have traveled from Brisbane to Melbourne, with Scott Boland, Marcus Harris ($62k BAT) and Lance Morris ($62k BWL) remaining with the group in Melbourne, meaning the latter two are still unavailable for BBL.
The Renegades offered an update on the fitness of Shaun Marsh ($121k BAT) whose return from a calf injury sustained in mid-November may re-shape their batting line-up.
The Gades update said: “Marsh has arrived in Melbourne and is continuing to progress in his recovery from a calf injury, with an update on his availability expected in the coming week.”
Jason Behrendorff ($129k BWL) told RSN that he was feeling injury free, in a sign he’s less likely to be rotated among the Scorchers outstanding bowling attack.
Behrendorff said: “The back is great. It’s been excellent ever since surgery (in 2019), it took a while to get going post-surgery. Once I’ve been up and running it feels excellent. Now I can focus on playing cricket.”
Scorchers wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis spoke about the in-form Jhye Richardson ($188k BWL). Inglis said: “He’s missed a fair bit of cricket recently, but the way he’s almost clicked straight back into gear has been fantastic for us. He’s been a wicket-taker and he hasn’t leaked runs either. He looks really confident at the minute. We know how special he is and how talented he is.”
Australia’s selection chair George Bailey also spoke about Richardson which may worry some about a Test call-up, making him unavailable in the BBL for a stint.
“So much has been spoken about with the cricket that is coming up, and we are going to need more than three bowlers,” Bailey said. “We’re going to need a squad mentality that is really adaptable, and a squad that is adaptable in different conditions.
“We saw Michael Neser step in last week and perform and the other one I’ll throw up into that mix – and great to see him back (in the BBL over the weekend) – is Jhye Richardson. So there’s some great depth in the fast bowling at the moment, which is exciting.”
INTL CALL-UPS
New Zealand confirmed their ODI squad for upcoming games against both Pakistan and India, with none of the BBL contingent involved, freeing up Trent Boult ($175k BWL), Jimmy Neesham ($115k BAT/BWL) and Martin Guptill ($160k BAT).
FORM GUIDE
There was a round of Victorian Super Slam games on Tuesday, with Jake Fraser-McGurk ($71k BAT) reinforcing his claim on first drop for the Melbourne Renegades, scoring 80 from 38 balls.
Among the other top performers with fringe Stars pair Brody Couch ($105k BWL) and James Seymour ($67k BAT). Couch took 3-29, while Seymour made 68* from 56 deliveries. Clint Hinchliffe ($95k BAT/BWL) also took 1-22 and made 45 from 37.
Gades all-rounder Will Sutherland ($52k BAT/BWL) took 2-23 and made 11 from 10 balls, while Stars rookie Campbell Kellaway ($42k BAT) failed with the bat, making 4 off 8, but claimed 5-15 from 3.5 overs plus a run out.
