Round 4 is upon us in SuperCoach BBL, marking the first round with no doubles or byes so it’s a challenge knowing who to put the VC and captain on, along with who to trade in.
Of course, Round 5 sees the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades have doubles, so it’s opportune to plan for that.
Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades
Saturday December 24, 3:30pm AEDT, Blundstone Arena
Hurricanes
The Canes were seen as a pre-season title contenders but have started 1-2 so there may be some changes. Joel Paris has started the season poorly and that may open the door for Chris Tremain to get a chance. Paris is also injury prone so it might be a worthy change to make. Billy Stanlake could’ve been an option but isn’t in the 15-man squad. The batting line-up is yet to fully fire as a unit, but it’s hard to see any of them getting dropped.
Matthew Wade has copped a last-minute suspension for repeated Code of Conduct breaches, with Tim Paine coming into the 15-man squad. Paine is in good T20 form for University of Tasmania and could take the gloves and play. Caleb Jewell is another option.
Ins: Chris Tremain, Tim Paine
Outs: Joel Paris, Matthew Wade
Unavailable: Zak Crawley (Test duty), Faheem Ashraf (Test duty), Matthew Wade (suspended)
1 B.McDermott
2 D.Short
3 T.Paine
4 Shadab Khan
5 T.David
6 Asif Ali
7 J.Neesham
8 N.Ellis
9 C.Tremain
10 P.Dooley
11 R.Meredith
12th C.Jewell
Renegades
The Gades are 3-0 for once so it’s hard to see too many changes. Kane Richardson has been managed for the Christmas Eve game with either David Moody or Jack Prestwidge likely to come into the XI as a pace replacement. Richardson’s absence may aid Will Sutherland’s role, while this is Andre Russell’s last game, with Martin Guptill to replace him.
Ins: Jack Prestwidge
Outs: Kane Richardson
Unavailable: Marcus Harris (Test duty), Shaun Marsh (calf), Zac Evans (pectoral), Kane Richardson (managed)
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 J.Prestwidge
10 T.Rogers
11 Mujeeb Ur Rahman
12th M.Harvey
Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars
Monday December 26, 6:05pm AEDT, SCG
Sixers
Izhalrulhaq Naveed was a surprise omission last game and fellow spinner Todd Murphy impressed in his absence at this venue, the SCG. As a result, Murphy likely holds his spot and if the Sixers want to get Naveed back in, may rest veteran Steve O’Keefe. Chris Jordan has arrived in Sydney so keep an eye on him but he’s not named in the squad, so we expect Naveen-ul-Haq to hold his spot, although Ben Dwarshuis may be in contention to return.
No changes
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (Test duty)
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 T.Murphy
11 S.O’Keefe
12th D.Hughes
Stars
The Stars are starting to fall behind the pace, with a 1-2 ledger, but they don’t have much squad depth to shuffle the deck. If anything, Campbell Kellaway could be elevated up the batting order.
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
Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers
Monday December 26, 6:15pm WST/9:15pm AEDT, Optus Stadium
Scorchers
Nick Hobson did enough against the Stars to hold his spot last time out after two failures prior to that, so Cameron Bancroft needs to wait. Matt Kelly may come into the XI given Optus Stadium is pace friendly, but spinner Peter Hatzoglou was good against the Stars, so that’s a line-ball call.
No changes
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 N.Hobson
4 J.Inglis
5 A.Turner
6 A.Hardie
7 A.Agar
8 J.Richardson
9 M.Kelly
10 A.Tye
11 J.Behrendorff
12th C.Bancroft
Strikers
The Strikers were tracking along nicely until Friday’s loss to the Heat but it’s hard to see any need for changes. Jake Weatherald needs to find form but we expect them to keep faith, despite Henry Hunt waiting in the wings.
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
Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat
Tuesday December 27, 4:15pm AEDT, Spotless Stadium
Thunder
The Thunder have a few problems, with Fazalhaq Farooqi’s contract terminated after an off-field incident. Pakistani spinner Usman Qadir is in Sydney and available, so likely comes into the squad and potentially plays, offering variety to their attack. Nathan McAndrew came into the side when Jason Sangha went out injured, which unbalanced their bats/bowlers, so they could bring in Ben Cutting for him or Brendon Doggett. Ollie Davies spent time off the field last game nursing some hip pain after surgery in March but with seven days between games, he should be fine to play. There’s fair few unknowns for the Thunder who are 1-3 and struggling.
Ins: Usman Qadir
Outs: Fazalhaq Farooqi
Unavailable: David Warner (Test duty), Tanveer Sangha (back), Jason Sangha (collarbone) Fazalhaq Farooqi (contract terminated)
1 A.Hales
2 M.Gilkes
3 R.Rossouw
4 O.Davies
5 A.Ross
6 D.Sams
7 N.McAndrew
8 C.Green
9 G.Sandhu
10 B.Doggett
11 U.Qadir
12th B.Cutting
Heat
Max Bryant’s 46 against the Strikers on Friday probably means he’s done enough to hold his spot from Josh Brown. Matt Kuhnemann, who was used for only two overs against the Strikers, or Xavier Bartlett remains a dilemma too. They’ll likely want stability after a win.
No changes
Unavailable: Marnus Labuschagne (Test duty), Usman Khawaja (Test duty)
1 M.Bryant
2 C.Munro
3 M.Renshaw
4 S.Billings
5 J.Peirson
6 R.Whiteley
7 J.Bazley
8 M.Neser
9 M.Steketee
10 M.Kuhnemann
11 M.Swepson
12th J.Brown
