Alex Carey and Travis Head were belatedly included for the Adelaide Strikers and discussed who’ll open the batting, while Colin de Grandhomme was a shock inclusion, plus there’s a Matthew Wade update.
TEAM NEWS
The Adelaide Strikers named a 14-man squad to face the Brisbane Heat at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon, with Alex Carey ($121k BAT/WKP) and Travis Head ($125k BAT/BWL) both returning after Test duty.
Colin de Grandhomme ($135k BAT/BWL) is also named, with Harry Nielsen ($54k BAT/WKP) and Ryan Gibson ($64k BAT) dropping out. The Strikers said: “Colin de Grandhomme has also returned to the squad for the clash after missing last night’s game with a hamstring strain.”
When asked who will open the batting alongside Matt Short, Carey said: “We haven’t spoken about it. Obviously, the top-order is flying… Might have a bat-off in the nets to see who opens.”
The Heat added English middle-order bat Sam Hain ($105k BAT), while Nathan McSweeney ($131k BAT/BWL) and import Ross Whiteley ($57k BAT/BWL) drop out.
Strikers: W.Agar, Boyce, Carey, Conway, de Grandhomme, Head (c), Hose, Hunt, Kelly, Lynn, Manenti, Short, Siddle, Thornton
Heat: Bartlett, Bazley, Brown, Bryant, Hain, Johnson, Khawaja (c), Kuhnemann, Labuschagne, Neser, Peirson, Renshaw, Steketee, Swepson
The Melbourne Renegades made one change to their 15-man squad for the derby against the Melbourne Stars at Marvel Stadium, with spinner Fawad Ahmed ($110k BWL) in for opening batsman Marcus Harris ($56k BAT).
The Stars added one player to their 15-man squad, with Tom O’Donnell signed as a local replacement for the injured Marcus Stoinis ($128k BAT/BWL).
Renegades: Finch (c), Fawad Ahmed, Critchley, Fraser-McGurk, Guptill, Harper, Harvey, Kellapotha, Moody, Prestwidge, Richardson, Rocchiccioli, Rogers, Sutherland, Wells
Stars: Zampa (c), Cartwright, Clarke, Couch, Coulter-Nile, Hatcher, Hinchliffe, Kellaway, Larkin, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Rogers, Seymour, Webster, Wood
UPDATES
Hobart Hurricanes all-rounder D’Arcy Short offered an update on Paddy Dooley’s ($142k BWL) status, having missed two games with a finger injury. He said: “I think he will play. I think he’s confident that he’ll play but it’s trying to push both injuries and see where he gets from there.”
Short also spoke about Matthew Wade ($145k BAT/WKP) who missed last game for personal reasons. He said: “He’ll take his time for family reasons. Family comes first. We’ll back his decision. We back his decision. If he’s back on Sunday, then that’s great.”
Stars batsman Tom Rogers praised Liam Hatcher ($84k BWL) following his outstanding form. He said: “Hatchy 3-17 (2-18) off 4, something ridiculous. Since he’s come into the team he’s been awesome, he’s taken wickets. He bowls 145 which is what he’s in the team to do. He’s been brilliant at it.”
The Scorchers confirmed to Honeyball that the absence of Jason Behrendorff ($157k BWL) on Friday was due to being rested amid three games in five days.
Ollie Davies ($147k BAT) impressed in Friday’s game and earned praise from Thunder acting captain Chris Green, who said: “He’s looking great. I think the way he batted and built that partnership with Davey showed how damaging he can be. We’re going to need him to continue doing that.”
