Round 6 of SuperCoach BBL begins at 6:05pm AEDT on Wednesday with the Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers having doubles, while the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars have byes.
Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat
Wednesday 3 January, 6:05pm AEDT, Coffs Harbour International Stadium
Sixers
Doubtful: Hayden Kerr (side)
Unavailable: Steve Smith (Test duty), Dan Hughes (head knock)
Predicted Changes
In: Tom Curran, Steve O’Keefe
Out: Joel Davies, Todd Murphy
The Sixers will welcome back English all-rounder Tom Curran after a four-game suspension which likely means Joel Davies makes way. Steve O’Keefe has had a few games off to freshen up and likely takes Todd Murphy’s spot. Hayden Kerr probably still misses out despite returning to fitness.
1 J.Philippe (wk)
2 J.Vince
3 K.Patterson
4 M.Henriques
5 J.Silk
6 T.Curran
7 J.Edwards
8 S.Abbott
9 B.Dwarshuis
10 J.Bird
11 S.O’Keefe
Heat
Doubtful: Josh Brown (knock)
Unavailable: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne (Test duty), Will Prestwidge (side)
Predicted Changes
Unchanged lineup
The top-of-the-table unbeaten Heat have no need to make changes. Josh Brown has a minor injury worry which could bring Jimmy Peirson or Max Bryant into consideration.
1 C.Munro (c)
2 J.Brown
3 N.McSweeney
4 M.Renshaw
5 S.Billings (wk)
6 P.Walter
7 X.Bartlett
8 M.Neser
9 S.Johnson
10 M.Swepson
11 M.Kuhnemann
Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers
Wednesday 3 January, 9:15pm AEDT/6:15pm local time, Optus Stadium
Scorchers
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Mitch Marsh (Test duty), Ashton Turner (knee)
Predicted Changes
Unchanged lineup
There’s a bit of pressure on Cooper Connolly’s spot at the top of the order after only 31 runs in four knocks, with Steve Eskinazi available, but the word out of Perth is he’ll hold his spot for now. His spin may come in handy to quell Chris Lynn too, alongside Ashton Agar.
The Scorchers have a busy schedule coming up with five games in a fortnight, so their quicks could be rotated but that’s unlikely to happen yet. Matt Kelly is waiting in the wings if Lance Morris or Jhye Richardson fancy an extended rest.
1 Z.Crawley
2 C.Connolly
3 A.Hardie (c)
4 J.Inglis (wk)
5 L.Evans
6 N.Hobson
7 A.Agar
8 J.Richardson
9 A.Tye
10 L.Morris
11 J.Behrendorff
Strikers
Doubtful: N/A
Unavailable: Travis Head, Alex Carey (Test duty)
Predicted Changes
In: David Payne, Henry Thornton, Tom Kelly
Out: Brendan Doggett, Ben Manenti, James Bazley
Spinning all-rounder Ben Manenti and fast bowler Brendan Doggett came into the side on New Year’s Eve for David Payne and Jake Weatherald but that didn’t work out overly well, with Adelaide losing a third straight game. Payne took a 3fa before losing his spot so he seems likely to return to a side that failed to defend 205.
Manenti only bowled one over on NYE and seems surplus to requirements in Perth, with Henry Thornton in the mix to take his spot. That seems to leave them short on batting so maybe James Bazley isn’t safe, but where can they turn? Tom Kelly?
1 M.Short (c)
2 D.Short
3 C.Lynn
4 A.Hose
5 T.Kelly
6 J.Overton
7 H.Nielsen (wk)
8 W.Agar
9 H.Thornton
10 C.Boyce
11 D.Payne
Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes
Thursday 4 January, 7:15pm AEDT, Marvel Stadium
Renegades
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Joe Clarke (quad), Nathan Lyon (Test duty), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (ACB revoked NOC)
Predicted Changes
In: Ruwantha Kellapotha, Aaron Finch
Out: Peter Siddle, Jordan Cox
The Renegades only picked one spinner last time but will want two at Marvel, so if Mujeeb Ur Rahman remains unavailable they’ll surely turn to Ruwantha Kellapotha. It’s hard to see an avenue back into the side for Nic Maddinson or Aaron Finch, although maybe the latter gets a chance at Jordan Cox’s expense with Shaun Marsh elevated to open. Given the side are struggling, they need to try something.
1 Q.de Kock (wk)
2 S.Marsh
3 J.Fraser-McGurk
4 A.Finch
5 M.Harvey
6 J.Wells
7 W.Sutherland (c)
8 R.Kellapotha
9 T.Rogers
10 K.Richardson
11 A.Zampa
Hurricanes
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Predicted Changes
Unchanged lineup
The Canes finally broke through for a win last game, so they’ll likely opt for a similar side. As a result, Sam Hain likely misses out again, while Paddy Dooley took 2-33 after a lean run, so he’ll hold ahead of fellow spinner Peter Hatzoglou.
1 M.Wade (wk)
2 C.Jewell
3 B.McDermott
4 M.Wright
5 C.Anderson
6 T.David
7 N.Chaudhary
8 C.Jordan
9 N.Ellis (c)
10 P.Hatzoglou
11 R.Meredith
Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers
Friday 5 January, 7:15pm AEDT/6:45pm local time, Adelaide Oval
Strikers
Doubtful: N/A
Unavailable: Travis Head, Alex Carey (Test duty)
Predicted Changes
In: Lloyd Pope, Wes Agar
Out: James Bazley, David Payne
It’s hard to see how James Bazley holds his spot following two nightmare games with the ball. Adelaide are having all sorts of issues with their bowling attack, so expect changes with Wes Agar and Brendan Doggett in contention to take David Payne’s spot. Spinner Lloyd Pope has been added as a local replacement player and he could easily come into the side, given they played two spinners last time at Adelaide Oval, when Ben Manenti supported Cameron Boyce.
One small win was Henry Thornton and Tom Kelly were both in their first games of the season and will hold.
1 M.Short (c)
2 D.Short
3 C.Lynn
4 A.Hose
5 T.Kelly
6 J.Overton
7 H.Nielsen (wk)
8 H.Thornton
9 W.Agar
10 C.Boyce
11 L.Pope
Scorchers
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Mitch Marsh (Test duty), Ashton Turner (knee)
Predicted Changes
No changes
Spinner Hamish McKenzie may be considered on this track, which could lead to a rest for someone like Jhye Richardson or Jason Behrendorff. Ashton Agar hasn’t been great either and could make way.
1 Z.Crawley
2 S.Whiteman
3 A.Hardie (c)
4 J.Inglis (wk)
5 L.Evans
6 C.Connolly
7 A.Agar
8 J.Richardson
9 A.Tye
10 L.Morris
11 J.Behrendorff
