The Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder squads were confirmed for Friday’s Sydney Smash with Steve Smith and David Warner included, while there were updates on Sam Harper, Marcus Stoinis and Chris Lynn.
SQUAD NEWS
The Sydney Sixers named their 17-man squad to face the Sydney Thunder on Friday, with Steve Smith the big inclusion.
Ryan Hadley also comes into the squad, with Tom Curran ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Sixers squad: Abbott, Bird, Davies, Dwarshuis, Edwards, Hadley, Henriques, Hughes, Kerr, Murphy, O’Keefe, Patterson, Perry, Philippe, Silk, Smith, Vince
David Warner was named in the Thunder’s 17-man squad for the Sydney Smash, with Sam Konstas dropping out due to the Under-19 World Cup.
Warner’s availability looks confirmed with his helicopter set to land on the SCG at 5pm after his brother’s wedding in the Hunter Valley, with the game due to start at 7:15pm.
Thunder squad: Bancroft, Davies, Doddrell, Gilkes, Gray, Green (c), Hales, Hatcher, Kohler-Cadmore, McAndrew, Ross, Salzmann, Sams, Sandhu, J.Sangha, T.Sangha, Warner
UPDATES
Sam Harper ($65k WKP/BAT) will definitely miss the Melbourne Stars’ game on Saturday but is a day-to-day proposition beyond that, with a view to final regular season game & finals following his head knock. Peter Handscomb, who is currently playing for the CA XI, will be available on Saturday to return for the Stars and take the gloves.
On Harper, Stars teammate Marcus Stoinis said: “He is tracking quite well. He’s home. He got out of hospital a day and a half after what happened. He’s started his concussion rehab. Touch wood, I think things are going the right way.”
On his own bowling, Marcus Stoinis said: “I think I’m in as good a position as I have been in a while. The consistent playing without a major injury has been great. I have had niggles, three at the World Cup but none kept me out for longer than two weeks. It’s held me in good stead. I’m too competitive to give up bowling.”
Chris Lynn ($211k BAT) unexpectedly missed the Adelaide Strikers’ clash with the Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday due to a hamstring strain, with the club declaring “he won’t play for the remainder of the season”.
However, Lynn told 7Cricket that he’s a “slim chance” to play their final game on Sunday. Lynn said: “I was batting the other night and just felt a little twinge. Obviously, the scan didn’t come back too well. I think it’s a low grade one but with the tight turnaround and only two fixtures left for myself, out tonight. Maybe a slim chance for Sunday depending on the result tonight.”
Renegades spinner Adam Zampa spoke about his own form after a down BBL|13 campaign following his excellent World Cup. He said: “I just haven’t been into a rhythm on the field unfortunately. It’s something I’d like to change. It’s been a weird one, getting that mental break and physical break, then trying to perform. It’s something to juggle. But we’re professional cricketers, we’re used to it.”
There was a slight hint of some bowling rotation ahead of Brisbane’s final game away to Perth, having already secured top spot. Heat bowler Spencer Johnson was asked by the club’s media manager about fast bowler Jordan Buckingham and said: “I think Jordan will definitely be ready to go. He’s a competitor. Obviously, he’s my South Australian teammate. He’s got something about him Bucky. If he gets his chance, he’ll definitely be alright.”
