Round 7 of SuperCoach BBL begins at 7:15pm AEDT on Saturday with the Perth Scorchers, Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat having doubles, while the Melbourne Renegades have the bye.
Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers
Saturday 6 January 2024, 7:15pm AEDT, MCG
Stars
Doubtful: Nathan Coulter-Nile (calf)
Unavailable: Usama Mir, Haris Rauf (Pakistan duty), Liam Dawson, Olly Stone (stints complete), Sam Harper (head knock)
Predicted Changes
In: Scott Boland, Peter Handscomb
Out: Jonathon Merlo, Sam Harper
The release of Scott Boland from the Test squad means he’ll play, with Jonathon Merlo or Mark Steketee’s spots most at stake. I’m yet to figure out Merlo’s role in the side, so surely he drops out. Nathan Coulter-Nile is in the squad but the Stars may be cautious to rush him back, especially after four straight wins and given Boland is available, so I’m inclined to think he’ll miss, but if he plays, Steketee likely is out. Spinner Corey Rocchiccioli may be considered after being unlucky to lose his spot.
Peter Handscomb will come in and take the gloves after Sam Harper suffered a laceration on his chin and neck having been struck batting in the nets on Friday. Harper will be monitored by doctors over the coming days, with his availability moving forward unclear.
1 T.Rogers
2 D.Lawrence
3 B.Webster
4 G.Maxwell (c)
5 M.Stoinis
6 H.Cartwright
7 P.Handscomb (wk)
8 Imad Wasim
9 J.Paris
10 M.Steketee
11 S.Boland
Sixers
Doubtful: Dan Hughes (head knock)
Unavailable: Steve Smith (Test duty)
Predicted Changes
In: Dan Hughes, Jackson Bird
Out: Kurtis Patterson, Todd Murphy
Jackson Bird was unlucky to miss out in unfamiliar conditions in Coffs Harbour and likely returns at Todd Murphy’s expense, with the latter struggling for any impact lately. Kurtis Patterson hasn’t done enough with either bat or in the field to hold his spot with Dan Hughes likely good to go after a head knock.
1 J.Philippe (wk)
2 J.Vince
3 D.Hughes
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
Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes
Sunday 7 January 2024, 7:15pm AEDT/6:15pm local time, Gabba
Heat
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne (Test duty), Will Prestwidge (side)
Predicted Changes
The Heat keep winning so there’s no need for changes.
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
Hurricanes
Doubtful: Matthew Wade (back), Sam Hain (hamstring)
Unavailable: Nil
Predicted Changes
In: Matthew Wade
Out: Nikhil Chaudhary
Hobart has a selection squeeze, with Sam Hain returning to the side as Player of the Match with a game-winning half-century after Matthew Wade missed with a back flare-up. Assuming Wade is fit, it’s hard to know who’ll miss out. Complicating matters is Hain appeared to hurt his hamstring during that innings, so that’s a factor.
Caleb Jewell, Mac Wright, Corey Anderson and Nikhil Chaudhary seem the most vulnerable to miss out if Wade and Hain are fit to play. All four have had good moments this season, with the former two leading the side for runs. Chaudhary may be deemed surplus to requirements, with Tim David and Anderson able to make up overs as the sixth bowler.
1 M.Wade (wk)
2 C.Jewell
3 B.McDermott
4 M.Wright
5 S.Hain
6 T.David
7 C.Anderson
8 C.Jordan
9 N.Ellis (c)
10 P.Dooley
11 R.Meredith
Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers
Monday 8 January 2024, 7:15pm AEDT, Sydney Showground
Thunder
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: David Warner (Test duty), Zaman Khan (Pakistan duty), Blake Nikitaras (knee)
Predicted Changes
In: Jason Sangha
Out: Liam Hatcher
The Thunder are struggling and desperately need wins to remain in the finals hunt. Their batsmen are yet to fire and that could cause a shake-up, with Jason Sangha or Matthew Gilkes to be considered, or even a tilt of their team balance, which has had six bowlers. Import Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been ordinary since joining, but likely holds for now.
1 C.Bancroft (wk)
2 A.Hales
3 T.Kohler-Cadmore
4 J.Sangha
5 O.Davies
6 A.Ross
7 D.Sams
8 N.McAndrew
9 C.Green (c)
10 G.Sandhu
11 T.Sangha
Scorchers
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Mitch Marsh (Test duty), Ashton Turner (knee)
Predicted Changes
In: Hamish McKenzie
Out: Jhye Richardson (rested)
Sam Whiteman’s spot as opener isn’t 100% secure, with Steve Eskinazi a chance to play. Monitor how Whiteman goes on Friday night. The Scorchers quicks could be rotated, with spinner Hamish McKenzie a chance to play. Lance Morris (back) and Jhye Richardson (hamstring and shoulder) had off-season injuries so could need a freshen-up amid a busy workload. Veteran Jason Behrendorff could use a break too.
1 Z.Crawley
2 S.Whiteman
3 A.Hardie (c)
4 J.Inglis (wk)
5 L.Evans
6 C.Connolly
7 A.Agar
8 H.McKenzie
9 A.Tye
10 L.Morris
11 J.Behrendorff
Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes
Tuesday 9 January 2024, 7:10pm AEDT/6:40pm local time, Adelaide Oval
Strikers
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Travis Head (not made available after Test duty)
Predicted Changes
In: Alex Carey
Out: Harry Nielsen
Alex Carey has been made available following the conclusion of the Pakistan Test series and will come in to replace Harry Nielsen. Carey likely bats 2 or 4, but captain Matt Short confirmed they’re leaning towards the latter. His inclusion forces down Jamie Overton to 7 but he’ll likely float based on the situation.
Given they had a good win over Perth, it’s hard to see any other changes. Travis Head hasn’t been made available after consultation with Cricket Australia medical staff.
1 M.Short (c)
2 D.Short
3 C.Lynn
4 A.Carey (wk)
5 A.Hose
6 T.Kelly
7 J.Overton
8 H.Thornton
9 D.Payne
10 C.Boyce
11 L.Pope
Hurricanes
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Matthew Wade (back)
Predicted Changes
In: Sam Heazlett, Bradley Hope
Out: Sam Hain, Corey Anderson
Hobart lost from a winning position on Sunday, so may want to make some changes. Their bowlers finally had a good game but their batting let them down, so the likes of Mac Wright, Caleb Jewell, Corey Anderson and Sam Hain aren’t safe. Matthew Wade has been ruled out with a back issue, while Sam Heazlett has been patiently waiting in the wings and given their struggles, he arguably warrants a game. Nikhil Chaudhary’s 55, however, means he’s undroppable and probably warrants going up the order. All-rounder Bradley Hope has been added as a local replacement player but it’s hard to see where he fits in, although Corey Anderson could be at risk given Chaudhary’s rise.
1 C.Jewell
2 B.McDermott
3 M.Wright
4 S.Heazlett
5 N.Chaudhary
6 T.David
7 B.Hope
8 C.Jordan
9 P.Dooley
10 N.Ellis (c)
11 R.Meredith
Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers
Wednesday 10 January 2024, 7:40pm AEDT/6:40pm local time, Gabba
Heat
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Will Prestwidge (side)
Predicted Changes
In: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne
Out: Josh Brown, Matt Renshaw
This is a settled winning side coming up against arguably their biggest threat, so they’ll want to stay stable. But Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are available for this one game after Test duty and will come in. This may impact their top 6 significantly, with Josh Brown, Matt Renshaw and Nathan McSweeney all under threat.
Khawaja rivals Brown for the opening spot and that seems an easy change, given the latter is averaging 25.8 with an underwhelming strike rate of 124. He may be in Test contention but Renshaw probably gets squeezed out over McSweeney, given he’s managed only 94 runs from five knocks. McSweeney has been a steady hand and has their second most runs behind Colin Munro.
1 C.Munro
2 U.Khawaja (c)
3 M.Labuschagne
4 N.McSweeney
5 S.Billings (wk)
6 P.Walter
7 X.Bartlett
8 M.Neser
9 S.Johnson
10 M.Swepson
11 M.Kuhnemann
Scorchers
Doubtful: Nil
Unavailable: Ashton Turner (knee), Mitch Marsh (Test duty)
Predicted Changes
In: Jason Behrendorff
Out: Hamish McKenzie
Mitch Marsh won’t be available for Perth. As a result, Sam Whiteman should hold but the Scorchers do have a dilemma given he’s only managed 41 runs in three knocks, with Steve Eskinazi available to them. Nick Hobson could also come in, with Cooper Connolly elevated to open again. I’d suggest they’ll stick with Whiteman for now.
The other big dilemma is around their bowling line-up. Jason Behrendorff missed out on Monday but should return on this Gabba track where his powerplay swing will be critical. Spinner Hamish McKenzie seems the obvious one to miss out but Jhye Richardson is battling for form and Perth may feel a rest could help his cause.
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
