Brisbane Heat opener Colin Munro’s fitness will be tested before play in Wednesday’s clash with the Melbourne Stars, while Jacob Bethell, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett’s availability has got clearer.
HEAT INJURY CONCERNS
The Brisbane Heat have already confirmed left-arm quick Spencer Johnson will miss Wednesday’s game at the MCG due to a toe injury.
Michael Neser (hamstring) is also out and not expected back until early January although the Heat said “both players are making sound progress towards a playing return”.
The Heat named a 14-man squad which included Colin Munro, but with a word of caution. Brisbane’s update said: “Colin Munro to be assessed before play after reporting tightness in his hamstring during training earlier this afternoon at the MCG.”
Brisbane previously indicated Munro would open with either Jimmy Peirson or Max Bryant, but now both could combine together. Matt Renshaw is another option or dashing SA top-order batter Daniel Drew who has been added as a local replacement player.
The Heat have added two local replacement players, who’ll need to be in the playing 12. The other is young Queensland quick Tom Whitney.
Heat: Munro (c), Alsop, Bartlett, Bryant, Drew, Kuhnemann, Peirson, Prestwidge, Renshaw, Swepson, Walter, Wildermuth, Whitney, Wood
The Stars named their 14-player squad with veteran Peter Siddle dropping out, with Joel Paris his likely replacement.
Hilton Cartwright has been named despite his neck concern in Sunday’s opener, with replacement Blake Macdonald and young gun Campbell Kellaway also added.
Ins: Macdonald, Kellaway, Paris / Outs: Anlezark, Siddle, Warren
Stars: Stoinis (c), Cartwright, Clarke, Couch, Curran, Harper, Kellaway, Macdonald, McKenzie, Merlo, Milne, Paris, Rogers, Webster
BETHELL ON EARLY FLIGHT?
England’s final Test against New Zealand concluded in Hamilton on Tuesday, with the tourists suffering a heavy defeat. The day four finish means Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope can all jump on a plane for Australia on Wednesday or Thursday, as originally planned.
Bethell’s Gades play on Thursday against the Hobart Hurricanes, with his Club indicating he’ll arrive prior to that, although it’s unclear if he’ll be prepared and ready to play, following a Test series.
The Stars said in their team release that Ben Duckett will be available for their Friday game against the Strikers, which also see Ollie Pope line up for Adelaide for the first game of their double.
The update said: “Joe Clarke will play his final game for BBL|14 as England international Ben Duckett is set to join the squad for Friday’s match against the Strikers.”
TEST INJURY TRICKLE-ON
Josh Hazlewood sustained a calf strain during Australia’s third Test against India, which will have a trickle-on effect to BBL. Hazlewood has been ruled out for the rest of the series, meaning someone needs to step in.
Scott Boland is his likely replacement in the XI for the Boxing Day Test, while Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett could be recalled into the squad and miss BBL games.
The likes of Scorchers pair Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris have been called into the Test squad in the past, although injury issues this year may hold them back from red ball cricket.
INJURIES MOUNT UP
Strikers import Fabian Allen appeared to injure his hamstring in the field in Tuesday’s game.
The Sixers had two injury concerns on Monday, with Daniel Hughes hurting his arm attempting a catch while Hayden Kerr retired hurt with an apparent hamstring issue. There’s been no official updates on those injuries yet.
