Get all the team news ahead of the weekend’s games, with updates on Tom Curran, Hamish McKenzie, Chris Jordan, Jacob Bethell, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Chris Lynn and Jamie Overton.
TEAM NEWS
Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat
The Renegades have made 3 changes to their 14-man squad for this game, with Kane Richardson among those to return, knowing that a good victory could still see them make finals.
Jacob Bethell’s BBL stint is over, headed off for England white-ball duty against India.
Ins: Richardson, Harvey, Peake / Outs: Bethell, Harris, Elliott
Renegades squad: Sutherland (c), Brown, Crone, Dixon, Fraser-McGurk, Harvey, Muyeye, O’Neill, Peake, Richardson, Rogers, Seifert, Stow, Zampa
The Heat have ruled out spinner Matt Kuhnemann due to a thumb injury but skipper Colin Munro is set to return from a finger issue.
In a BBL quirk, Test duo Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja are unavailable, but several other Test squad members will play this weekend.
On Kuhnemann, the Heat said: “He is being assessed by specialists and further updates will be provided in due course.”
Ins: Drew, Munro, Wood / Outs: Labuschagne, Khawaja, Kuhnemann (inj)
Heat squad: Munro (c), Alsop (wk), Bartlett, Bryant, Drew, Johnson, McSweeney, Neser, Prestwidge, Renshaw, Swepson, Walter, Wood
Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers
Matt Kelly has been recalled to the Scorchers’ 14-man squad for their Saturday night game, with Matthew Hurst dropping out. Mitch Marsh remains unavailable, listed as “rested”.
Ins: Kelly / Outs: Hurst
Scorchers squad: Turner (c), Agar, Allen, Beardman, Behrendorff, Connolly, Fanning, Hardie, Hobson, Jackson, Kelly, Morris, Spoors, Tye
For the Strikers, Chris Lynn will miss again due to a hamstring complaint, while Jamie Overton is out on England duty. Jake Weatherald will also miss with a back issue.
On Lynn, the Strikers said: “Lynn has failed to recover in time from a minor hamstring strain.”
Ins: Boyce, Bazley / Outs: Overton, Weatherald
Strikers squad: M.Short (c), Bazley, Boyce, Buckingham, Carey, Doggett, Haskett, Manenti, L.Pope, O.Pope, Ross, Scott, D.Short, Thornton
UPDATES
Ahead of Sunday’s Stars-Hurricanes game, there’s a bit of a concern about Hobart resting players after Friday’s Sydney Smash washout meant they’re locked in for top spot.
The Hurricanes announced the signing of WA Shield medium-fast bowler Cameron Gannon as they bolster their bowling options. Gannon has taken 17 wickets this Shield season, while he was the third leading wicket taker in USA’s Major League Cricket with 11 wickets in 7 games.
Given they’ve locked in top spot, you’d think Hobart won’t rush back Chris Jordan (back) or Ben McDermott (hamstring).
Jordan spoke on SEN prior to Thursday’s Hurricanes game against the Heat which he missed, offering some insights into his back injury.
Prior to the game when asked if he’d play, he said: “I can’t actually give you that information yet. I probably have to go through a few late tests and see how we get through.”
When pressed on the extent of the injury, he added: “Quite innocuous. Just some back spasms. They can take their time sometimes. So we’ll just see how the test goes.”
Stars spinner Hamish McKenzie confirmed he won’t return this season due to a side injury, meaning he can be used as a loophole.
McKenzie told 91.3 Sport FM: “Unfortunately got a little side injury that I tried to push to get back for this game with the Stars. It seems to be a bit too sore so probably going to have to sit out the rest of the BBL season.”
Stars captain Marcus Stoinis appeared on SEN late this week and confirmed the return of Tom Curran from a calf injury on Sunday, hinting he’ll likely slot into the 7 spot with batsmen shuffling up with Ben Duckett out on England duty.
Stoinis said: “Tommy Curran is coming back from injury which is a big inclusion for us. He’ll come back in.
“The question will be, do we just bring Tommy in (for Duckett) as a batter down the lower order and slide everyone up. That also gives us 8 bowling options, which sounds good in theory.”
