Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan offered an update after spinner Paddy Dooley went down injured in Wednesday’s game against Perth, while Scorchers all-rounder Aaron Hardie discussed why he’s not bowling.
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Nothing major from the squads for Thursday’s Sydney Thunder-Melbourne Renegades clash at Manuka Oval, with Blake Nikitaras ($42k BAT) added to the Thunder squad, while the Gades are unchanged.
Thunder acting vice-captain Alex Ross talked up David Warner ($167k BAT) after a sluggish return to the BBL in his two knocks so far. Ross said: “We saw Steve Smith make a hundred for the Sixers, we’re hoping Davey can do the same. I know he’ll feel a little jealous now, and he’ll probably go for form tomorrow night.”
Ross also talked up the form of Ollie Davies ($146k BAT). He said: “He’s a star of Australian cricket. His last innings – when we lost in Hobart – was probably his most impressive in terms of maturity. He can go out and hit all these amazing shots, and that was an innings where, if someone had have gone with him it would have been a match-winning innings. Unfortunately for him we couldn’t do that.”
Thunder: Cutting, J. Davies, O. Davies, Doggett, Gilkes, Green (c), Holt, McAndrew, Nikitaras, Pawson, Usman Qadir, Ross, Sams, Warner, Whiteman
Renegades: Finch (c), Fawad Ahmed, Critchley, Fraser-McGurk, Guptill, Harper, Harvey, Kellapotha, Moody, Prestwidge, Richardson, Rocchiccioli, Rogers, Sutherland, Wells
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Aaron Hardie ($140k BAT/BWL) spoke about his bowling role, having not been used since a groin strain. Hardie said: “I’m ready to go. I might have a bit of bowling to do in the nets to get the loads up but I’m ready to go. Obviously just haven’t been needed.”
Paddy Dooley ($153k BWL) left the field after bowling out in Wednesday’s game against Perth with a sore groin, creating doubt on his availability for Friday’s game away to the Brisbane Heat, before their Round 13 double.
Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan said: “I’m pretty confident. He’s had a shoulder, he’s had a finger throughout, and keeps bouncing back. He’s been a bit like superman throughout the tournament. My expectation is he’ll do everything in his favour to get himself up for Friday night. I expect him to play.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet. I don’t know the full extent. We’ll probably get more of an understanding tomorrow.”
Vaughan also mentioned they have a travelling squad of 14 players for the Brisbane game, with no mention of Shadab Khan ($172k BAT/BWL), so his return seems a long shot, although we’re yet to get confirmation.
