SuperCoach BBL is expected to open next week, so keep up with all the relevant news with Honeyball’s regular updates on form, signings, injuries and availability.
FORM WATCH
Given we’re a BBL focused outlet, we don’t often take much notice of Test cricket but Stars recruit Ben Duckett’s recent red-ball form for England is worth flagging.
Duckett posted 114 from 129 balls in England’s current Test against Pakistan, having scored 84 in the first Test too. Shame he’ll miss the Stars’ Round 1 double due to Test duty. Honeyball understands Joe Clarke is in line to replace Duckett on the Stars’ squad for those first two games.
Scorchers quick Jhye Richardson dropped a huge whack in price last season, so he’ll be reasonably valued in BBL|14 and relevant with Perth’s early double. With that in mind, after an off-season with injury concerns, it was encouraging to see him take 3-36 in a Player of the Match display as WA beat Queensland.
RUMOURS
It’s also been rumoured that the Renegades will sign wrist spinner Callum Stow as a local replacement for Test bound Nathan Lyon, with Xavier Crone – who has played some BBL for the Stars – in the mix to join the Gades too.
The Adelaide Strikers will unveil their 18th squad member on Friday, although we’re anticipating that’ll be Travis Head who is back in Adelaide on paternity leave.
INJURY NEWS
Heat quick Spencer Johnson has been sidelined since The Hundred due to a side strain but he’s closing in on a return. “It’s feeling good at the minute,” Johnson told the Unplayable Podcast.
“It’s been 12 weeks since I did it. So it’s taken a little bit longer than we would have liked. I’ve been back bowling for maybe three or four weeks now, at full tilt. Hopefully the next one-dayer for the SACAs is on the cards.”
Sixers quicks Sean Abbott and Jackson Bird were also named in NSW’s Sheffield Shield squad against Victoria this week following injuries.
Renegades all-rounder Will Sutherland and Stars gun Glenn Maxwell also both returned after layoffs for the Victoria 2nd XI this week. Beyond a first-ball six, Maxwell didn’t do anything amazing, while Sutherland posted a second-innings century (104* from 161).
INTERNATIONAL CALL-UPS
News broke that Aussie Test all-rounder Cameron Green’s summer was over due to him requiring back surgery, which has a BBL-relevant impact as someone needs to replace him in the Test squad with that India series to clash with BBL|14.
With all-rounder Marsh Marsh currently in the Test XI, Green’s absence doesn’t necessarily mean an all-rounder needs to come in, so this is wide open, particularly following David Warner’s retirement and Steve Smith’s failure to claim his spot as opening batsman.
On Monday, CA announced an Australia A squad (don’t worry, this won’t clash with BBL this year) to play two games against India. It’s expected players from this group will be in line to replace Green, namely; Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas and possibly reigning Shield player of the year Beau Webster.
The 2025 Bangladesh Premier League auction also took place this week. This is relevant as it starts on December 27, clashing directly with the BBL. Thankfully there was no BBL carnage, with Hobart’s Bangladeshi international leggie Rishad Hossain the only player picked up, albeit later than expected by Fortune Barishal due to reported uncertainty over his availability given he’s joined the Hobart Hurricanes. That’ll need to be negotiated.
The England Lions squad to tour South Africa from November 20 to December 14 was announced recently with Sixers spinner Jafer Chohan and Scorchers bat Matthew Hurst both named, which seemed a worry with BBL starting on December 15.
But the ECB’s announcement stated: “Due to their Big Bash League commitments, Chohan, the Yorkshire leg-spinner, and Lancashire wicketkeeper-batter Hurst will join for part of the tour.”
Alongside that the ECB named England’s squad for a white-ball series against the West Indies (October 31 to November 17), with BBL trio Jamie Overton, Jacob Bethell and Chohan selected. The relevance here (don’t stress, England’s white-ball team don’t clash with BBL) is if Strikers all-rounder Overton bowls in those games, having not bowled since being diagnosed with a lower-back stress fracture in May. He has earned selection as a specialist batsman previously.
The West Indies also recently announced a white-ball squad for a series against Sri Lanka (October 13-26), with BBL trio Fabian Allen, Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford named, while Akeal Hosein was left out for personal reasons. That’s relevant as there is a West Indies white-ball series against Bangladesh (December 8-19) that will impact their BBL availability if selected.
