BBL|15 is coming with clubs finalising their squads plus availability and injury timelines becoming clearer, enabling us to start predicting Round 1 line-ups.
Ins/Outs
Ins: Babar Azam (Pakistan), Sam Curran (England), Kane Richardson (Melbourne Renegades), Mitch Starc
Outs: James Vince, Akeal Hosein, Jackson Bird (Hobart Hurricanes)
Unclear: Kurtis Patterson
Draft Insights
Sixers coach Greg Shipperd described Babar Azam coming into the side for James Vince as “replacing one Rolls Royce with another”. Sam Curran is a quality T20 all-rounder but he’ll miss half the tournament due to the ILT20. English spinner Jafer Chohan is back for a second season, hopefully better for the first.
Squad (19)
Batsmen: Babar Azam*, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, Lachlan Shaw (wk), Josh Philippe (wk)
All-rounders: Sam Curran*, Jack Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis, Hayden Kerr
Bowlers: Sean Abbott, Jafer Chohan*, Joel Davies, Ben Manenti, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Kane Richardson, Mitch Starc*
Sydney Sixers Round 1 XI
Josh Philippe should return to the opener’s slot and will be partnered by Pakistani gun Babar Azam, who replaces James Vince. Steve Smith will be out until the Ashes are over, so the first drop is open, with Daniel Hughes appearing to be top of the list, with Jack Edwards an option too Azam could also slide into 3 where he’s batted recently for Pakistan, with Hughes opening.
Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk will remain in their 4/5 slots, followed by Edwards who likely slots in at 6 and bowls in a good all-rounder role. Henriques talked up the middle-order skills of youngster Lachlan Shaw – who played 7 games last year – but he’ll likely get squeezed out.
Sam Curran will miss the first few rounds due to the ILT20 so he’s ruled out. Ben Dwarshuis has evolved into a genuine all-rounder, so can hold down 7 or be elevated for a late-overs hitting role. Sean Abbott’s availability due to his recent hamstring injury is a big watch, with Kerr waiting in the wings should he not be ready. We’re anticipating Abbott won’t be right to play game 1.
The Sixers play in Perth first up, so we’re anticipating they’ll want fast bowlers, opening the door for Mitch Perry and veteran Kane Richardson, who’ll take on the death overs role. When Mitchell Starc becomes available at the back end, Richardson could make way.
Todd Murphy will be their preferred spinner, but English import Jafer Chohan should get the nod as second spinner in favourable conditions at the SCG initially ahead of Joel Davies and Ben Manenti. Kerr and Perry seem most likely to drop out once Abbott and Curran come in, but it’ll be performance based.
- J.Philippe (wk)
- Babar Azam
- D.Hughes
- M.Henriques (c)
- J.Silk
- J.Edwards
- B.Dwarshuis
- H.Kerr
- M.Perry
- T.Murphy
- K.Richardson
