Round 3 starts on Boxing Day and it’s a bumper round with the Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat all on doubles thrusting them into relevance. We’ve taken a look at all the predicted Round 3 sides, listing unavailability.
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Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars
Thursday 26 December, 6:05pm local time/AEDT, SCG
Sixers
Doubtful: Kurtis Patterson (illness), Hayden Kerr (hamstring)
Unavailable: Steve Smith (Australia Test duty), Daniel Hughes (elbow), Sean Abbott (Australia Test squad)
Predicted Ins: Kurtis Patterson, Hayden Kerr
Predicted Outs: Lachlan Shaw, Sean Abbott
Sean Abbott will miss due to being part of the Test squad, opening up a bowling spot. Hayden Kerr is in the mix to play after a minor injury and seems the ideal replacement, although Jackson Bird and Mitch Perry are options. Joel Davies and Todd Murphy aren’t safe if they opt for another quick like Bird, rather than 3 spinners.
Kurtis Patterson missed the Sydney Smash due to illness and should be available to play, slotting into the 3 spot, forcing Jack Edwards down the order and Lachlan Shaw out of the side.
1 J.Vince
2 J.Philippe (wk)
3 K.Patterson
4 M.Henriques (c)
5 J.Silk
6 J.Edwards
7 H.Kerr
8 B.Dwarshuis
9 J.Davies
10 A.Hosein
11 T.Murphy
Stars
Doubtful: N/A
Unavailable: Beau Webster (Australia Test duty), Scott Boland (Australia Test duty), Adam Milne (stint over), Joe Clarke (stint over), Hamish McKenzie (rib)
Predicted Ins: Usama Mir, Brody Couch, Joel Paris
Predicted Outs: Beau Webster, Adam Milne, Doug Warren
The Stars will be forced into a few changes with Beau Webster into the Test squad and Adam Milne’s BBL stint over. Pakistani spinner Usama Mir has arrived in Australia and is available to play this game.
The Stars have only managed 12 wickets in 3 games, so they may mix up their attack but they may turn to 2 of Mark Steketee, Joel Paris, Brody Couch or Doug Warren.
1 S.Harper (wk)
2 B.Duckett
3 G.Maxwell
4 M.Stoinis (c)
5 T.Rogers
6 H.Cartwright
7 T.Curran
8 Usama Mir
9 J.Paris
10 B.Couch
11 P.Siddle
Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat
Thursday 26 December, 6:15pm local time/9:15pm AEDT, Optus Stadium
Scorchers
Doubtful: Aaron Hardie (quad)
Unavailable: Mitch Marsh, Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson (all Australia Test squad)
Predicted Ins: Aaron Hardie, Lance Morris
Predicted Outs: Josh Inglis, Matthew Spoors
The big watch is on whether all-rounder Aaron Hardie will be fit to return after a quad injury. He has been training in Perth. If available, he won’t bowl, but could resume his role batting at 3 and force a change for Cooper Connolly.
Connolly has been outstanding at first drop, so Perth would likely want to keep him in the top 2-3. Keep in mind, the Scorchers have lost 2 in a row and are battling a tad at 1-2. Connolly’s role should still stay good for now.
Josh Inglis will miss this game due to being part of the Australia Test squad, so Matthew Hurst could slot in and take the gloves. Finn Allen could arguably keep, so there’s a school of thought that Hurst stays out.
Matthew Spoors was good with the bat on debut against the Gades but struggled with the ball and his spin isn’t likely to be essential at Optus. Lance Morris likely returns, but all this creates a squeeze and someone like Nick Hobson could be forced out if they want Hurst with the gloves.
1 F.Allen (wk)
2 K.Jennings
3 C.Connolly
4 A.Hardie
5 A.Turner (c)
6 N.Hobson
7 A.Agar
8 A.Tye
9 M.Kelly
10 J.Behrendorff
11 L.Morris
Heat
Doubtful: Spencer Johnson (toe)
Unavailable: Michael Neser (hamstring), Tom Alsop (quad), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne (both Australia Test duty)
Predicted Ins: Tom Banton, Spencer Johnson
Predicted Outs: Max Bryant, Tom Whitney
English top-order bat Tom Banton should be available to play this game, after missing Sunday’s game having only arrived in Australia in the 24 hours prior. Banton’s addition creates a major selection dilemma, with Max Bryant and Jimmy Peirson appearing most vulnerable.
Spencer Johnson has been named in the 13 after an ongoing toe problem, so we’re expecting him to play. Tom Whitney is the player who’ll drop out. Will Prestwidge could also be expendable if they deem they want both Bryant and Peirson, although that would be a shift from Brisbane’s title-winning formula of 5 bowlers plus Walter. If it happens, Nathan McSweeney and/or Matt Renshaw could get overs as their sixth bowler.
1 C.Munro (c)
2 T.Banton
3 N.McSweeney
4 M.Renshaw
5 J.Peirson (wk)
6 P.Walter
7 W.Prestwidge
8 X.Bartlett
9 S.Johnson
10 M.Swepson
11 M.Kuhnemann
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Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes
Friday 27 December, 6:45pm local time/7:15pm AEDT, Adelaide Oval
Strikers
Doubtful: N/A
Unavailable: Travis Head, Alex Carey (both Australia Test duty), Fabian Allen (hamstring)
Predicted Ins/Outs: No changes
Jake Weatherald’s availability is the main point of contention, having missed the last game following back spasms. If he’s fit, it’s hard to know exactly how they’ll get him in, but a top 5 shuffle could be the option, squeezing out someone like Liam Scott.
Adelaide, though, seem to rate Scott given he was handed the 20th over against Brisbane. Brendan Doggett could also yet get a reprieve as they’ve seemed a bowler short in a few games.
1 M.Short (c)
2 D.Short
3 C.Lynn
4 O.Pope (wk)
5 A.Ross
6 J.Overton
7 J.Bazley
8 L.Scott
9 H.Thornton
10 C.Boyce
11 L.Pope
Hurricanes
Doubtful: Matthew Wade (calf)
Unavailable: Iain Carlisle (back), Mac Wright (ACL)
Predicted Ins/Outs: No changes
Hobart will be settled after a bounce-back win over Perth led by Mitch Owen’s century. Matthew Wade’s fitness is the only likely way they’d make a change, with Caleb Jewell the one who’d drop out.
1 M.Owen
2 C.Jewell
3 S.Hope
4 B.McDermott (wk)
5 T.David
6 N.Chaudhary
7 C.Jordan
8 N.Ellis (c)
9 R.Meredith
10 B.Stanlake
11 Waqar Salamkheil
Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder
Saturday 28 December, 7:15pm local time/AEDT, Manuka Oval
Stars
Doubtful: Tom Curran (calf)
Unavailable: Scott Boland (Australia Test duty), Adam Milne (stint over), Joe Clarke (stint over), Hamish McKenzie (rib), Tom Rogers (hip)
Predicted Ins: Beau Webster, Joel Paris, Brody Couch
Predicted Outs: Tom Rogers, Doug Warren, Tom Curran
Beau Webster is an obvious replacement for the injured Tom Rogers, who opened last game. Rogers’ absence likely means Sam Harper’s return to the opener slot. English all-rounder Tom Curran also reportedly injured his calf at training on Friday and will miss.
The Stars’ big issue is their bowling, taking only 14 wickets in 4 games so far. It’s hard to know what they’re planning at selection given some of the decisions made this season. Jonathon Merlo bats 8 and doesn’t bowl, while they constantly leave out left-armer Joel Paris and Mark Steketee who are wicket-takers. Brody Couch able to take Curran’s death overs role, so he’ll likely come in.
Given the venue, we’d expect the Stars to be less inclined to carry 3 spinners, so maybe Doug Warren drops out for one of the quicks. Peter Siddle is bowling pretty well up front in the power play, which would be Paris’ role, so that’s the dilemma. This is a confusing club, so it could go either way but their need for wickets means they must play Paris.
1 S.Harper (wk)
2 B.Duckett
3 G.Maxwell
4 M.Stoinis (c)
5 B.Webster
6 H.Cartwright
7 J.Merlo
8 Usama Mir
9 J.Paris
10 B.Couch
11 P.Siddle
Thunder
Doubtful: Tanveer Sangha (side)
Unavailable: Sam Konstas (Australia Test squad), Nic Maddinson (finger), Nathan McAndrew (shoulder), Will Salzmann (injury)
Predicted Ins: Jason Sangha, Wes Agar
Predicted Outs: Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew
The big question is how will the Thunder replace Sam Konstas after his Test call-up? The options are Jason Sangha, Blake Nikitaras or Matthew Gilkes.
Sangha and Gilkes seem most likely and the former is best suited to the top order, with Gilkes playing a middle-order role at NSW level this season. Plus Sangha found some form recently at state level. Interestingly, Gilkes made 67 from 73 at first drop for UNSW on Saturday, so he’s flexible enough in the top 3.
Nathan McAndrew will miss with a shoulder injury, so either Wes Agar or fit-again Liam Hatcher will replace him. Spinner Tanveer Sangha is in some doubt with a side issue, which could open the door for fellow tweaker Tom Andrews or Hatcher.
1 D.Warner (c)
2 C.Bancroft
3 J.Sangha
4 O.Davies
5 S.Billings (wk)
6 S.Rutherford
7 C.Green
8 D.Sams
9 W.Agar
10 L.Ferguson
11 T.Sangha
Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers
Sunday 29 December, 6:15pm local time/7:15pm AEDT, Gabba
Heat
Doubtful: Spencer Johnson (toe)
Unavailable: Michael Neser (hamstring), Tom Alsop (quad), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne (both Australia Test duty)
Unchanged
Runs and late-overs bowling were the Heat’s issue in Perth. Xavier Bartlett copped tap but he won’t be dropped, so they’ll likely stick with the same attack. Spencer Johnson seemed fantastic on his return from injury and should play again.
The runs issue may mean Jimmy Peirson gets shunted into the middle order, with Colin Munro opening alongside Tom Banton. That would see Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw potentially bat one spot higher each.
1 T.Banton
2 C.Munro (c)
3 N.McSweeney
4 M.Renshaw
5 J.Peirson (wk)
6 M.Bryant
7 P.Walter
8 X.Bartlett
9 S.Johnson
10 M.Swepson
11 M.Kuhnemann
Sixers
Doubtful: Jack Edwards (quad/groin/hamstring)
Unavailable: Steve Smith (Australia Test duty), Daniel Hughes (elbow), Sean Abbott (Australia Test squad)
Unchanged
The word is Jack Edwards might be OK to play this game following hamstring tightness on Boxing Day. Sean Abbott is out, having named being released from the Australia Boxing Day Test squad.
Lachlan Shaw isn’t doing much but he’s also not getting much opportunity, so Edwards’ availability might impact his chances of being elevated to 3, or Kurtis Patterson coming in.
Jackson Bird, Todd Murphy and Hayden Kerr all did plenty on Boxing Day to hold their spots, keeping out Joel Davies.
1 J.Vince
2 J.Philippe (wk)
3 J.Edwards
4 M.Henriques (c)
5 J.Silk
6 L.Shaw
7 H.Kerr
8 B.Dwarshuis
9 A.Hosein
10 T.Murphy
11 J.Bird
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