Stoinis returns from injury, Steketee out for Heat, Green praises Sams & Shadab update
Marcus Stoinis was the big inclusion for the Melbourne Stars ahead of their Round 11 opener against the Brisbane Heat at the MCG, while Mark Steketee is definitely out for the visitors.
TEAM NEWS
The Stars named a 15-man squad with Tom O’Donnell dropping out, with Marcus Stoinis ($128k BAT/BWL) to return from injury.
“Marcus Stoinis returns to the squad after recovering from a hamstring strain,” the Stars said in an update.
The Heat named their 13-man squad on Monday morning, with Mark Steketee ($105k BWL) dropping out.
Stars: Zampa (c), Cartwright, Clarke, Couch, Coulter-Nile, Hatcher, Hinchliffe, Kellaway, Larkin, O’Connell, Rogers, Seymour, Stoinis, Webster, Wood
Heat: Bartlett, Bazley, Brown, Bryant, Hain, Johnson, Khawaja (c), Kuhnemann, Labuschagne, Neser, Peirson, Renshaw, Swepson
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Honeyball sought an update on the potential return of Shadab Khan ($172k BAT/BWL) for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Shadab exited the BBL in early January for Pakistan ODI duty, but was ruled out of the series having been diagnosed with a finger fracture. He is yet to return to Hobart, having been slated for a return for either their January 18 or 20 games. Hobart have a Round 13 double.
Daniel Sams ($136k BAT/BWL) was outstanding in Round 10 with the top score of 145, after three scores of 5 or less. Thunder acting captain Chris Green said: “Our bowling has been very good every game. Samsy today was spectacular. It’s a pity we’ve had such low totals for our bowlers to try and defend.
“I thought the way he bowled today up front and through the middle was spectacular. He’s our strike weapon and wicket-taker and unfortunately we’re just not scoring enough runs to allow our bowlers to get in the game.”
Sam Harper ($187k WKP/BAT) has found form in recent weeks, earning praise from acting Renegades captain Aaron Finch for his response to being dropped.
Finch said: “After missing a couple of games, that hurts. It’s a chance to look at yourself and assess where you can be better… he’s certainly done that which has been brilliant.”