Round 3 of the 2022-23 Big Bash League commences on Wednesday night with the Brisbane Heat having the double, while the Sydney Thunder have the bye. The Heat play first so you’ve gotta trade up early.
Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat
Wednesday 21 December, GMHBA Stadium, 7:15pm AEDT/local time
Renegades
It’s hard to see the Gades making any changes after a 2-0 start to their season. Jake Fraser-McGurk blasted 80 from 38 balls in the Victorian Super Slam on Tuesday to reinforce his spot. Sam Harper needs a score too, but is safe for now. Will Sutherland has been used sparingly with both bat and ball but should hold too. Andre Russell has two more games, before Martin Guptill arrives.
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 A.Hosein
8 W.Sutherland
9 T.Rogers
10 K.Richardson
11 Mujeeb Ur Rahman
12th M.Harvey
Heat
Matthew Renshaw and Michael Neser will both come into the XI, with the former’s availability after his wife gave birth to their first child putting pressure on Max Bryant or Josh Brown at the top of the order. Neser’s return means fellow fast bowler Xavier Bartlett is likely to miss out, having gone 0-51 from three overs against the same opponent last week. Matthew Kuhnemann should hold his spot, with Heat preferring the two spinner approach.
Ins: Matt Renshaw, Michael Neser
Outs: Josh Brown, Xavier Bartlett
Unavailable: Marnus Labuschagne (Test duty), Usman Khawaja (Test duty)
1 M.Bryant
2 M.Renshaw
3 C.Munro
4 S.Billings
5 R.Whiteley
6 J.Peirson
7 J.Bazley
8 M.Neser
9 M.Steketee
10 M.Kuhnemann
11 M.Swepson
12th J.Brown
Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes
Thursday 22 December, SCG, 7:15pm AEDT/local time
Sixers
Selection looks awkward for the Sixers who have started with two losses. Veteran spinner Steve O’Keefe and left-armer Ben Dwarshuis dropped out last game and come could back but Jackson Bird, Izharulhaq Naveed and Naveen-ul-Haq all impressed in their absence and Sean Abbott cannot be dropped. The SCG is reportedly a good spinning deck at the moment, so power play swing bowler Bird could potentially slip out for O’Keefe, despite taking 3-26 in Perth.
Ins: Steve O’Keefe
Outs: Jackson Bird
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (Test duty), Chris Jordan (injury)
1 J.Philippe
2 J.Vince
3 K.Patterson
4 M.Henriques
5 J.Silk
6 H.Kerr
7 D.Christian
8 S.Abbott
9 Naveen-ul-Haq
10 S.O’Keefe
11 Izhalrulhaq Naveed
12th D.Hughes
Hurricanes
The Canes enjoyed a good win over Perth on Monday, so should be fairly settled. Imports Asif Ali and Jimmy Neesham are yet to fire but won’t be dropped at this stage. Left-arm swing bowler Joel Paris has started poorly, meaning Chris Tremain could take his spot.
Wil Parker was added to their 14-man squad at the spin friendly SCG, but breakout star Paddy Dooley and Shadab Khan should lead the way on that front, with support from D’Arcy Short.
No changes
Unavailable: Zak Crawley (Test duty), Faheem Ashraf (Test duty)
1 B.McDermott
2 M.Wade
3 D.Short
4 Shadab Khan
5 T.David
6 Asif Ali
7 J.Neesham
8 N.Ellis
9 J.Paris
10 P.Dooley
11 R.Meredith
12th C.Jewell
Melbourne Stars v Perth Scorchers
Friday 23 December, Junction Oval, 3:30pm AEDT/local time
Stars
The Stars won last time out against the Hurricanes, so there’s little need for changes, with Marcus Stoinis likely healthier after Covid-19 last week. Beau Webster has moved up to first drop with Joe Burns out, and been their fifth bowler, but Stoinis may take a few overs now he’s healthy. Nick Larkin will float in the Stars’ batting order depending on the situation. Junction Oval is prime for power-hitting, so expect Stoinis and Cartwright to get a good crack at facing as many balls as possible.
No changes
Unavailable: Glenn Maxwell (broken leg), Joe Burns (hamstring)
1 J.Clarke
2 T.Rogers
3 B.Webster
4 N.Larkin
5 M.Stoinis
6 H.Cartwright
7 C.Kellaway
8 L.Wood
9 N.Coulter-Nile
10 T.Boult
11 A.Zampa
12th C.Hinchliffe
Scorchers
Nick Hobson has scored only 3 and 8 so could slip out for Cameron Bancroft, who has been unlucky to miss out after good recent form. Lance Morris hasn’t been released from the MCG Test squad so is unavailable, so the fourth bowler will be either Matt Kelly or Peter Hatzoglou depending on conditions.
Ins: C.Bancroft
Outs: N.Hobson
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
Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers
Friday 23 December, Gabba, 7pm AEDT/local time
Heat
Depends on first game performance, but Xavier Bartlett, Jack Wildermuth or Spencer Johnson may be considered given the likely green wicket at the Gabba, as per the two-day Test match. As a result, spinner Matt Kuhnemann isn’t safe. Michael Neser will be available for this game, having been released from the MCG Test squad. Max Bryant’s poor BBL form could open the door for a Josh Brown reprieve.
Ins: X.Bartlett
Outs: M.Kuhnemann
Unavailable: Marnus Labuschagne (Test duty), Usman Khawaja (Test duty)
1 M.Bryant
2 M.Renshaw
3 C.Munro
4 S.Billings
5 R.Whiteley
6 J.Peirson
7 J.Bazley
8 M.Neser
9 X.Bartlett
10 M.Steketee
11 M.Swepson
12th J.Brown
Strikers
The Strikers are flying with a 3-0 start so it’s hard to see them making any changes. Wes Agar was only used for two overs, going 0-26, against the Thunder on Tuesday, but should hold having taken 4-6 when they skittled the Thunder all out for 15 on Friday. Harry Conway and Jordan Buckingham are possible replacements for Agar.
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
