Round 5 starts on Friday with a double-header and it’s the first of the single game rounds in the back-half of the season. We’ve taken a look at all the predicted Round 5 sides, listing unavailability.
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Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat
Friday 3 January, 6:05pm AEDT, Coffs Harbour
Sixers
Doubtful: Sean Abbott (Australia Test squad)
Unavailable: Steve Smith (Australia Test duty), Daniel Hughes (elbow)
Predicted Ins/Outs: Unchanged
The Sixers’ batting display against Hobart was poor but it’s hard to imagine they’ll swing the axe as a result. We’re not expecting Sean Abbott to be available, with the Test starting in Sydney on Friday.
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 A.Hosein
10 T.Murphy
11 J.Bird
Heat
Doubtful: Michael Neser (hamstring)
Unavailable: Tom Alsop (quad), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne (both Australia Test duty)
Predicted Ins: Michael Neser, Tom Alsop
Predicted Outs: Will Prestwidge, Tom Banton
The Heat’s batting has become a major problem, so they may be tempted to make some changes, particularly with Jimmy Peirson waiting in the wings. Colin Munro is struggling but won’t be dropped. Import Tom Banton hasn’t offered much either and will make way for fit-again Tom Alsop who’ll take the gloves.
Michael Neser should be fit after a hamstring tendon injury. If so, he’s a like-for-like for all-rounder Will Prestwidge.
1 T.Alsop (wk)
2 C.Munro (c)
3 N.McSweeney
4 M.Renshaw
5 M.Bryant
6 P.Walter
7 M.Neser
8 X.Bartlett
9 S.Johnson
10 M.Swepson
11 M.Kuhnemann
Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder
Friday 3 January, 9:15pm AEDT/6:15pm AWST, Optus Stadium
Scorchers
Doubtful: Jhye Richardson, Mitch Marsh (Australia Test squad), Ashton Agar (back)
Unavailable: Josh Inglis (calf)
Predicted Ins: Matt Kelly
Predicted Outs: Jhye Richardson
We’re anticipating Jhye Richardson and Mitch Marsh won’t be made available for this game, given the Test starts in Sydney on the same day. Matt Kelly is the easy inclusion for Richardson.
Ashton Agar seems to be fine after back spasms last game while Aaron Hardie may be in the mix to bowl in this game.
1 F.Allen
2 M.Hurst (wk)
3 C.Connolly
4 A.Hardie
5 A.Turner (c)
6 N.Hobson
7 A.Agar
8 M.Kelly
9 A.Tye
10 J.Behrendorff
11 L.Morris
Thunder
Doubtful: Jason Sangha (bicep)
Unavailable: Sam Konstas (Australia Test squad), Nic Maddinson (finger), Nathan McAndrew (shoulder), Will Salzmann (injury), Tanveer Sangha (side)
Predicted Ins/Outs: Unchanged
It’s understood Tanveer Sangha’s side strain is worth than originally expected, so he’ll miss again, allowing Tom Andrews another game as spinner alongside Chris Green. Jason Sangha will be in the mix to return from his bicep injury, which could force Matthew Gilkes out. If not, they’ll persist with out-of-form Sherfane Rutherford at first drop.
1 D.Warner (c)
2 C.Bancroft
3 S.Rutherford
4 O.Davies
5 S.Billings (wk)
6 M.Gilkes
7 C.Green
8 D.Sams
9 T.Andrews
10 L.Ferguson
11 W.Agar
Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades
Saturday 4 January, 7:15pm AEDT, MCG
Stars
Doubtful: N/A
Unavailable: Beau Webster (Australia Test duty), Scott Boland (Australia Test duty), Adam Milne (stint over), Joe Clarke (stint over), Tom Curran (calf), Hamish McKenzie (rib)
Predicted Ins/Outs: Unchanged
The Stars finally broke the duck with a good win in Brisbane. As a result, it’s hard to envisage any changes at all. Doug Warren may be an option if they want some spin at the MCG, but Usama Mir, Dan Lawrence and Glenn Maxwell should offer enough.
1 B.Duckett
2 T.Rogers
3 D.Lawrence
4 M.Stoinis (c)
5 G.Maxwell
6 H.Cartwright
7 S.Harper (wk)
8 Usama Mir
9 J.Paris
10 M.Steketee
11 P.Siddle
Renegades
Doubtful: N/A
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (Test duty), Hassan Khan (overseas quota)
Predicted Ins: Gurinder Sandhu
Predicted Outs: Fergus O’Neill
Fergus O’Neill has been left out, opening the door for either Gurinder Sandhu, Callum Stow or Xavier Crone to play. It’s likely Sandhu comes in, but they may opt of Stow’s spin at the MCG. It’s unlikely they’ll change their batting line-up.
1 J.Brown
2 J.Fraser-McGurk
3 T.Seifert (wk)
4 J.Bethell
5 L.Evans
6 M.Harvey
7 W.Sutherland (c)
8 T.Rogers
9 G.Sandhu
10 K.Richardson
11 A.Zampa
Hobart Hurricanes v Adelaide Strikers
Sunday 5 January, 7:15pm AEDT, NINJA Stadium
Hurricanes
Doubtful: N/A
Unavailable: Iain Carlisle (back), Mac Wright (ACL)
Predicted Ins: Nathan Ellis
Predicted: Outs: Peter Hatzoglou
Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis should be good to go after missing the New Year’s Day game with illness. Peter Hatzoglou performed well (1-15 from 3) seems the likely one to miss out, having stepped in for Ellis, as all the bowlers went well.
1 M.Wade
2 M.Owen
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
Strikers
Doubtful: Matt Short (toe)
Unavailable: Travis Head, Alex Carey (both Australia Test duty), Fabian Allen (hamstring), Thomas Kelly (thumb)
Predicted Ins: Matt Short
Predicted Outs: Jake Weatherald
Keep an eye on Matt Short’s availability as he tries to play through a broken toe. It’s all about his pain threshold and using a jab to ease that. With time, that should get easier as it heals.
1 M.Short
2 D.Short
3 C.Lynn (c)
4 O.Pope (wk)
5 A.Ross
6 J.Overton
7 J.Bazley
8 H.Thornton
9 B.Doggett
10 C.Boyce
11 L.Pope
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