We’re back to single game rounds for both Rounds 10 and 11 so this is a test for SuperCoaches who should be cashed up by now and simply need to best possible players.
Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat
Saturday 14 January, 3:30pm ACST/4pm AEDT, Adelaide Oval
Strikers
Test pair Travis Head and Alex Carey will return for this game, but the big question mark is who opens. Carey did when they both returned last season, so we’re expecting him to get the nod. Head would slot in at no.4 behind in-form Chris Lynn in his final BBL|12. Head should go up to first drop once Lynn exits.
Colin de Grandhomme is in Adelaide’s 13-man squad but it’s hard to see him playing after suffering a hamstring strain on Tuesday. If he doesn’t play, Head and Matt Short could bowl, but the Strikers did pick four bowlers plus ‘all-rounder’ Ben Manenti last game. In terms of balance, that didn’t work out too well, bowled out for 108, but they may back their batters in with Head and Carey back.
Ins: Alex Carey, Travis Head
Outs: Ryan Gibson, Harry Nielsen
Unavailable: Jake Weatherald (injury), Rashid Khan (SA-20), Colin de Grandhomme (hamstring)
1 M.Short
2 A.Carey
3 C.Lynn
4 T.Head
5 A.Hose
6 T.Kelly
7 B.Manenti
8 H.Thornton
9 C.Boyce
10 W.Agar
11 P.Siddle
12th H.Hunt
Heat
Things are getting desperate for Brisbane who made five changes last game but were brushed aside by the ladder-leading Scorchers, leaving them bottom of the table. Ross Whiteley has been dumped from the 13-man squad with fellow import Sam Hain coming into the group, so he’s likely to play in a middle-order batting role.
With that batting group in mind, despite his disastrous 20-run over, Marnus Labuschagne should share overs with Matt Renshaw as their fifth bowler. James Bazley may be considered too.
Mark Steketee and Mitch Swepson were omitted last game. Youngster Spencer Johnson impressed when given his chance but went without a wicket. Xavier Bartlett took 1-31 from three overs. We think Steketee will return and Johnson will hold, given Adelaide is his home track.
Ins: Sam Hain, Mark Steketee
Outs: Ross Whiteley, Xavier Bartlett
Unavailable: Colin Munro (ILT20), Sam Billings (ILT20)
1 U.Khawaja
2 J.Brown
3 M.Labuschagne
4 M.Renshaw
5 J.Peirson
6 M.Bryant
7 S.Hain
8 M.Neser
9 M.Steketee
10 M.Kuhnemann
11 S.Johnson
12th J.Bazley
Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars
Saturday 14 January, 7:30pm AEDT, Marvel Stadium
Renegades
Opener Marcus Harris has been axed and it may be time for Mackenzie Harvey to return to the opener’s slot, like he did for the first half of last season. Spinner Fawad Ahmed has been drafted into the 15-man squad and we’re expecting him to play at Marvel Stadium at the expense of quick David Moody, with the Gades to operate with three tweakers, including Ruwantha Kellapotha and Matt Critchley who offer some batting ability too.
Keep an eye on Kane Richardson who had a side concern last game. If he’s not fit, Moody will hold.
Ins: Mackenzie Harvey, Fawad Ahmed
Outs: Marcus Harris, David Moody
Unavailable: Zac Evans (pectoral), Nic Maddinson (knee), Shaun Marsh (leg), Akeal Hosein (ILT20), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (ILT20)
1 M.Guptill
2 M.Harvey
3 S.Harper
4 A.Finch
5 J.Wells
6 M.Critchley
7 W.Sutherland
8 R.Kellapotha
9 T.Rogers
10 K.Richardson
11 Fawad Ahmed
12th C.Rocchiccioli
Stars
The Stars claimed a morale-boosting win over the Strikers on Thursday, so they’re still in finals contention. Coach Dave Hussey has already forecast Brody Couch playing in this fixture, so the question is who misses out. Clint Hinchliffe is probably the prime candidate but has performed admirably, so potentially there’s a rest brewing for Nathan Coulter-Nile or even Luke Wood, given his similar role to Couch.
Ins: Brody Couch
Outs: Nathan Coulter-Nile (rested)
Unavailable: Glenn Maxwell (broken leg), Joe Burns (hamstring), Trent Boult (ILT20), Marcus Stoinis (hamstring)
1 J.Clarke
2 T.Rogers
3 H.Cartwright
4 B.Webster
5 N.Larkin
6 J.Seymour
7 C.Hinchliffe
8 L.Wood
9 B.Couch
10 L.Hatcher
11 A.Zampa
12th T.O’Donnell
Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder
Sunday 15 January, 1:40pm AEDT, Blundstone Arena
Hurricanes
Matthew Wade’s availability remains unclear having missed the past game for personal reasons, while spinner Paddy Dooley hasn’t been declared fit either after thumb surgery although the Canes were hopeful on his availability. We’re edging towards thinking Wade won’t play this one.
The Canes have had about a week off between games, so the squad should be freshened up for one last push for the finals. Mitch Owen’s spot isn’t secure after bowling one over and getting a duck last game, should Wade be available.
Ins: Paddy Dooley
Outs: Tom Andrews
Unavailable: Jimmy Neesham (SA-20), Billy Stanlake (hamstring), Shadab Khan (ODIs), Matthew Wade (personal)
1 C.Jewell
2 B.McDermott
3 Z.Crawley
4 D.Short
5 T.David
6 Asif Ali
7 M.Owen
8 Faheem Ashraf
9 P.Dooley
10 N.Ellis
11 R.Meredith
12th J.Paris
Thunder
Joel Davies has been stiff to miss the last two games but it’s hard to make a case for anyone to genuinely drop out. Daniel Sams doesn’t seem 100 per cent but that is speculative.
No changes
Unavailable: Tanveer Sangha (back), Jason Sangha (collarbone) Fazalhaq Farooqi (contract terminated), Gurinder Sandhu (calf), Rilee Rossouw (SA-20), Alex Hales (ILT20)
1 D.Warner
2 M.Gilkes
3 S.Whiteman
4 O.Davies
5 A.Ross
6 D.Sams
7 B.Cutting
8 N.McAndrew
9 C.Green
10 B.Doggett
11 Usman Qadir
12th J.Davies
Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers
Sunday 15 January, 7:15pm AEDT, SCG
Sixers
The Sixers have enjoyed almost a week between games, so the bowling rotation is likely to end. Steve Smith is available after Test duty and will slot into the top 3 for James Vince who has exited for the ILT20. Chris Jordan has also departed for that competition, opening up a spot for an extra spinner at the SCG, which could be any of Nathan Lyon, Izharulhaq Naveed or Steve O’Keefe (if fit). We’ll go with Lyon given his pedigree and rare availability.
Ins: Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon
Outs: James Vince (ILT20), Chris Jordan (ILT20)
Unavailable: Steve O’Keefe (managed), James Vince (ILT20), Chris Jordan (ILT20), Naveen-ul-Haq (ILT20)
1 J.Philippe
2 K.Patterson
3 S.Smith
4 M.Henriques
5 J.Silk
6 D.Christian
7 H.Kerr
8 S.Abbott
9 B.Dwarshuis
10 N.Lyon
11 T.Murphy
12th D.Hughes
Scorchers
Perth will complete the third game of their five-day road trip on Sunday, with that schedule given rise to the possibility of one of their bowlers being rested, like Jason Behrendorff was last game. The Scorchers are top of the table too, so there’s scope to take it easy, but this is a top-two clash and a Perth win would put them five points clear with three games to play, so we’re expecting them to go in full strength. SCG has taken spin lately too, so Peter Hatzoglou should return.
It’s tough to say who misses out but David Payne is a like-for-like for Behrendorff, while Matt Kelly or Lance Morris could miss out for Hatzoglou despite both bowling well last game.
Ins: Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou
Outs: David Payne, Lance Morris
Unavailable: Cameron Green (finger), Mitch Marsh (ankle), Phil Salt (shoulder), Tymal Mills (personal), Jhye Richardson (hamstring), Faf du Plessis (SA-20), Adam Lyth (ILT20)
1 S.Eskinazi
2 C.Bancroft
3 A.Hardie
4 J.Inglis
5 A.Turner
6 N.Hobson
7 A.Agar
8 M.Kelly
9 A.Tye
10 J.Behrendorff
11 P.Hatzoglou
12th C.Connolly
