BBL|14 is less than a fortnight away with clubs finalising their squads plus availability and injury timelines becoming clearer, enabling us to start predicting Round 1 line-ups.
The Strikers are likely to take on extra relevance in initial SuperCoach selection plans as one of four BBL clubs to have doubles in the first two rounds (three games all up) prior to Christmas.
Adelaide Strikers
Ins: Fabian Allen, Ollie Pope, Jordan Buckingham (Brisbane Heat), Alex Ross (Sydney Thunder)
Outs: Rashid Khan, Wes Agar (Sydney Thunder), David Payne, Adam Hose, Ben Manenti (Sydney Sixers)
Unsigned from BBL|13: Henry Hunt
Draft Insights
Draft picks: Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Fabian Allen
Strikers head coach Tim Paine said: “We wanted to add a bit of quality to our middle order. Ollie Pope brings that. He can also wicketkeeper and wants to push his case for white-ball cricket for England, so someone who is keen, hungry and young and brings some leadership.
“Fabian really strengthens our middle-order hitting. Bowls a bit more spin which we love at the strikers. Overs (Jamie Overton) last year was fantastic in all three phases of the game so it was a no-brainer to get him back.”
The Strikers’ big loss, of course, is Afghan spinner Rashid Khan who won’t be back next season.
Squad (18 of 18 signed):
Batsmen: D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Alex Ross, Jake Weatherald, Thomas Kelly, Travis Head
Wicketkeepers: Ollie Pope, Harry Nielsen, Alex Carey
All-rounders: Matt Short, Jamie Overton, Fabian Allen, James Bazley
Bowlers: Henry Thornton, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Buckingham, Brendan Doggett
Round 1 XI
1 M.Short (c)
2 D.Short
3 C.Lynn
4 J.Weatherald
5 J.Overton
6 H.Nielsen (wk)
7 F.Allen
8 B.Doggett
9 H.Thornton
10 C.Boyce
11 L.Pope
Matt Short will continue at the top of the order, supported by D’Arcy Short and Chris Lynn offering big firepower to start.
Englishman Ollie Pope is slated to take the gloves and bat at 4, but will miss early due to Test duty, meaning Harry Nielsen will play Round 1. That is likely to cause a re-shuffle with Jake Weatherald – who was a revelation late last season – and new recruit Alex Ross to battle it out for the number 4 spot, or even Thomas Kelly.
English all-rounder Jamie Overton will return and recently returned to bowling on national duty after a back injury, so he’ll be in full swing. Spinning all-rounder Fabian Allen appears likely to be available for Round 1 despite a West Indies tour clash, having been overlooked in recent national squads. With Overton bowling again and Allen likely available, that means cheapie James Bazley probably misses out.
Coach Tim Paine has stated he wants to utilize spin twins Cameron Boyce and Lloyd Pope in tandem this season, given some success late last campaign, as a way to replace Rashid Khan. That leaves two spots for quicks with Henry Thornton likely to play, partnered by either Brendan Doggett or Jordan Buckingham, the latter whom faces a race against the clock to prove his fitness after a rib injury.
Keep an eye out for SA-based all-rounder Liam Scott to sign as a replacement for Head or Carey after good recent form.
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