CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 15: Nic Maddinson of the Renegades bats during the Men's Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Renegades at Cazaly's Stadium, on December 15, 2022, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)
Several key SuperCoach BBL options were back in action at club level on Saturday including Xavier Bartlett, Wes Agar, Nic Maddinson and Joel Davies, while there was an update on James Bazley.
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INJURY UPDATES
Strikers fast bowler Wes Agar made his return from a back injury in SA Premier Cricket on Saturday, getting through 8 overs and taking 3-20 with 2 maidens for Northern Districts against Adelaide in a one-day game.
In further injury news, Honeyball understands Strikers all-rounder recruit James Bazley’s hamstring injury is minor meaning he’ll likely only miss Round 1 of BBL, and be able for their Round 2 double from December 19.
Adelaide also lost Rashid Khan for the BBL|13 season earlier this week, needing a minor back operation which he went on Thursday.
Spinner Lloyd Pope made a timely return for SA this week, taking a 3fa in the Marsh Cup which may put him in their sights. He was in the Queensland T20 Max Team of the Tournament in August-September and is based in Adelaide.
Nic Maddinson was also due to make his return to competitive cricket on Saturday, marking a significant step in his recovery from an ACL injury sustained in January playing in the BBL. Maddinson lined up for St Kilda in Victoria’s Kookaburras First Grade.
There’s also no firm update on Scorchers spinner Ashton Agar (calf) although Honeyball understands he’s still pushing to be ready for the early stages of the BBL.
Jack Edwards (heel), Liam Hatcher (foot) and Hayden Kerr (side) were all left out of NSW’s Shield squad to play Tasmania due to injury. Cricket NSW said: “Jack Edwards, Liam Hatcher and Hayden Kerr were not considered for (Shield) selection due to injury. All three are on track to return to action in KFC BBL|13.”
Sixers all-rounder Joel Davies also returned from a minor toe issue to play for Manly-Warringah, taking 1-15 from 3.2 overs.
Heat bowler Xavier Bartlett continued his recovery from a back issue, scoring 76 from 137 balls for Gold Coast, before having his second bowl in a competitive game this season. Bartlett took 1-7 from six overs late in the day in Queensland’s Premier Cricket.
Elsewhere, Heat batsman Max Bryant made a century from 95 balls for Valley who were bowled out for 155. We’ll have all the weekend’s relevant form news later this weekend on Sunday.
SPECULATION
English spinning all-rounder Liam Dawson has been linked with a move to the Melbourne Stars as their replacement for Harry Brook who pulled out of BBL|13 a fortnight ago.
Dawson has played 11 times for England at T20I level and took 14 wickets in 16 games in the T20 Blast for Hampshire this year, scoring 170 runs from nine innings. He took eight wickets in eight games with an 8.91 economy rate for London Spirit in The Hundred.
Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim, formerly with the Renegades, announced his international retirement earlier this week, freeing him up for franchise T20 cricket for any BBL clubs searching for an import.
Similarly, all-rounder David Willey retired from England duty during the recent World Cup and could be a shrewd acquisition.
CLASHES
Chris Lynn’s Round 1 BBL availability is under threat, having been recruited by the Bangla Tigers for the Abu Dhabi T10 League which runs from November 28 to December 9. Adelaide’s first game is December 9.
Stars’ Pakistani spinner Usama Mir has been replaced in T10 League side Delhi Bulls’ squad, having been called into a national team training camp prior to their Test tour of Australia. Usama Mir isn’t in that final squad, so should be fully available for BBL|13.
Hurricanes recruit Peter Hatzoglou posted on social media him traveling to Abu Dhabi to link up with the Samp Army in the T10 League. It remains to be seen if these players get released in time for BBL|13 or if they complete the full T10 tournament.
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