Heat gun Michael Neser appears set to play for the first time this BBL season, while Jackson Bird, Mitch Marsh, Tom Banton and Jhye Richardson are among those set to miss in Round 5.
TEAM NEWS
Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat
The Sixers have opted to rest in-form quick Jackson Bird for the trip to Coffs Harbour. Note the forecast for this game with 1-15mm of rain forecast for Friday.
Ins: Manenti / Outs: Bird (managed)
Sixers squad: Henriques (c), Davies, Dwarshuis, Edwards, Hosein, Kerr, Manenti, Murphy, Patterson, Perry, Philippe, Shaw, Silk, Vince
Brisbane have made some changes with Tom Alsop fit again after a quad complaint, coming in for Tom Banton given the overseas quota. Jack Wood is also added to the squad.
The Heat have also declared Michael Neser fit to play. Brisbane’s update said: “Neser has completed his rehabilitation from a hamstring tendon injury suffered playing for Australia ‘A’.”
Ins: Alsop, Wood / Outs: Banton (overseas quota), Wildermuth, Drew
Heat squad: Munro (c), Alsop (wk), Bartlett, Bryant, Johnson, Kuhnemann, McSweeney, Neser, Prestwidge, Renshaw, Swepson, Walter, Wood
Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder
Jhye Richardson will miss this game due to being with the Test squad, with the Scorchers adding Bryce Jackson to their 14-man squad. Sam Fanning also comes in with Keaton Jennings dumped.
Mitch Marsh was dropped from the Test XI for the Sydney Test that starts on Friday but hasn’t been named for Perth. He’ll remain with the Test squad for now.
Ins: Jackson, Fanning / Outs: Richardson (Aus), Jennings
Scorchers squad: Turner (c), Agar, Allen, Behrendorff, Connolly, Fanning, Hardie, Hobson, Hurst, Jackson, Kelly, Morris, Spoors, Tye
Jason Sangha is out for the Thunder as he continues to battle a bicep issue, with top-order bat Blake Nikitaras replacing him.
Spinner Toby Gray has been added as a local replacement for Tanveer Sangha whose side strain is worse than originally thought.
Ins: Gray, Nikitaras / Outs: Weibgen, J.Sangha (bicep)
Thunder squad: Warner (c), Agar, Andrews, Bancroft, Billings, Davies, Ferguson, Gilkes, Gray, Green, Hatcher, Nikitaras, Rutherford, Sams
UPDATES
Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis offered praise to left-arm opening bowler Joel Paris, who impressed on New Year’s Day, taking 1-20 from 4 overs inside the first 7 overs.
Stoinis said: “I think the boys bowled brilliantly with the new ball. Bowling Joel Paris 4 overs straight. He was brilliant after the 1st 4 games for us. It makes it easier if the ball’s doing a bit.”
The Stars skipper also lavished praise on Dan Lawrence, who starred in his first game this season with 130 SC points. Stoinis said: “He’s a world class player.
“He’s played a lot of red-ball cricket at the top of the order which suited this wicket with some good bowling and some swing. He’s come in out of nowhere due to an injury, he’s flown over from Perth. That shows good maturity from him. Obviously he’s a brilliant player.”
