Round 2 is almost here starting on Friday, with the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder both on doubles thrusting them into relevance. We’ve taken a look at all the predicted Round 2 sides, listing unavailabilities.
Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers
Friday 19 December, 6:15pm local time / 7:15pm AEDT
Gabba, Brisbane
Brisbane Heat
Not 100%: Matt Kuhnemann (side)
Unavailable: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser (test squad), Callum Vidler (stress fracture), Spencer Johnson (back), Tom Alsop (knee)
Likely Ins: M.Kuhnemann / Likely Outs: P.Dooley
Spinner Matt Kuhnemann appears set to return from a side strain, taking Paddy Dooley’s spot. Michael Neser isn’t available despite missing the Test XI. Liam Haskett’s spot in the side isn’t secure, with either youngster Tom Balkin or Oli Patterson potentially replacing him.
There’s scope the Heat may weigh up persisting with Jack Wildermuth as opening batsman, with Jimmy Peirson impressing down the order.
Predicted line-up
- C.Munro
- J.Wildermuth
- N.McSweeney (c)
- M.Renshaw
- M.Bryant
- H.Weibgen
- J.Peirson (wk)
- X.Bartlett
- M.Kuhnemann
- L.Haskett
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Perth Scorchers
Not 100%: Matt Kelly (finger)
Unavailable: David Payne (ILT20), Josh Inglis (Test squad), Lance Morris (back)
Likely Ins: J.Richardson / Likely Outs: M.Beardman
Fast bowler Jhye Richardson will return after missing Perth’s opener due to being with the Australia Test squad in Adelaide. Who he’ll replace is a burning question after Joel Paris and Brody Couch both impressed against the Sydney Sixers. Mahli Beardman could be squeezed out.
Predicted line-up
- F.Allen (wk)
- M.Marsh
- C.Connolly
- A.Hardie
- A.Turner (c)
- L.Evans
- N.Hobson
- A.Agar
- J.Richardson
- J.Paris
- B.Couch
Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers
Saturday 20 December, 7:15pm AEDT
ENGIE Stadium, Sydney
Sydney Thunder
Not 100%: David Warner (side), Sam Konstas (elbow)
Unavailable: Lockie Ferguson (ILT20), Ravi Ashwin (knee)
Likely Ins: D.Warner / Likely Outs: O.Davies
David Warner is confident he’ll overcome a side strain, which will force out either Matthew Gilkes or Ollie Davies. Gilkes’ burst last game and the fact he’s a left-hander likely gets him over the line. Nathan McAndrew is no guarantee to hold after only being used for 2 overs, with Ryan Hadley and Wes Agar in the mix, or another spinner like Tom Andrews.
Predicted line-up
- D.Warner
- S.Konstas
- C.Bancroft
- S.Billings (wk)
- M.Gilkes
- Shadab Khan
- C.Green
- D.Sams
- N.McAndrew
- R.Topley
- T.Sangha
Sydney Sixers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Sam Curran (ILT20), Steve Smith, Mitch Starc (Test squad), Sean Abbott (hamstring)
Likely Ins: T.Murphy / Likely Outs: J.Davies
The Sixers are 0-2 so they’ll be looking for solutions. Lachie Shaw is an option to return to the middle order, but the likely change at ENGIE Stadium is spinner Todd Murphy’s inclusion with Joel Davies likely to make way, although Hayden Kerr or Mitch Perry are vulernable too.
Predicted line-up
- Babar Azam
- D.Hughes
- J.Philippe (wk)
- M.Henriques (c)
- J.Silk
- J.Edwards
- B.Dwarshuis
- H.Kerr
- M.Perry
- J.Chohan
- T.Murphy
Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes
Sunday 21 December, 7:15pm AEDT
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Melbourne Renegades
Not 100%: Tom Rogers (shoulder)
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett (Test squad), Will Salzmann (hamstring), Callum Stow (back)
Likely Ins: A.Zampa / Likely Outs: M.Spoors
It’s hard to imagine the Gades will change much after a good win, but Adam Zampa’s likely availability means he’ll return, with Matthew Spoors to make way.
Predicted line-up
- J.Brown
- T.Seifert
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- J.Fraser-McGurk
- O.Peake
- Hassan Khan
- W.Sutherland (c)
- F.O’Neill
- G.Sandhu
- J.Behrendorff
- A.Zampa
Hobart Hurricanes
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Beau Webster, Jake Weatherald (Test squad)
No changes
Despite a disappointing loss, the Canes won’t panic. There might be a temptation to introduce Jackson Bird, while Rehan Ahmed could be shuffled, but they’d be wise to stick to their guns.
Predicted line-up
- M.Owen
- N.Chaudhary
- Rehan Ahmed
- B.McDermott
- T.David
- M.Wade (wk)
- C.Jordan
- Rishad Hossain
- N.Ellis (c)
- R.Meredith
- B.Stanlake
Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat
Monday 22 December, 7:15pm AEDT
Manuka Oval, Canberra
Sydney Thunder
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Lockie Ferguson (ILT20), Ravi Ashwin (knee)
No changes predicted
The Thunder are 0-2, so they could be set to make some changes. The experiment moving David Warner to first drop didn’t seem to work, so he may return to the top with Matthew Gilkes moving into the middle order. It’s hard to see many other changes, with Nathan McAndrew the most vulnerable but having just taken a 2fa.
Predicted line-up
- D.Warner
- S.Konstas
- C.Bancroft
- M.Gilkes
- S.Billings (wk)
- Shadab Khan
- C.Green
- D.Sams
- N.McAndrew
- R.Topley
- T.Sangha
Brisbane Heat
Not 100%: Max Bryant (shoulder), Tom Alsop (knee)
Unavailable: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser (test squad), Callum Vidler (stress fracture), Spencer Johnson (back), Nathan McSweeney (ankle)
Likely Ins: T.Alsop / Likely Outs: N.McSweeney
Nathan McSweeney’s ankle injury has ruled him out, with English import Tom Alsop returning from a knee problem to take his spot in the side, amid a re-shuffle which likely sees Jimmy Peirson go up the order and Alsop play his preferred middle-order role. Max Bryant is in doubt with a shoulder injury, with Lachlan Hearne his obvious replacement if he doesn’t get up. After considering 257 runs, Brisbane may consider a change to their attack, with Liam Haskett potentially dropped for youngster Tom Balkin.
Predicted line-up
- C.Munro
- J.Wildermuth
- M.Renshaw
- J.Peirson (wk)
- M.Bryant
- T.Alsop
- H.Weibgen
- X.Bartlett (c)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- L.Haskett
- M.Kuhnemann
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars
Tuesday 23 December, 6:45pm local time / 7:15pm AEDT
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Adelaide Strikers
Doubtful: None
Unavailable: Travis Head, Alex Carey (Test squad)
No changes predicted
There’s little reason for changes after a good first-up win. Pakistani import Hasan Ali was the only one of the bowlers not to fire.
Predicted line-up
- M.Short (c)
- C.Lynn
- J.Sangha
- L.Scott
- A.Ross
- J.Overton
- H.Nielsen (wk)
- H.Thornton
- Hasan Ali
- L.Wood
- L.Pope
Melbourne Stars
Doubtful: None
Unavailable: Scott Boland (Test squad), Mark Steketee (hamstring)
No changes predicted
Similar to Adelaide, had a good first-up win, so hard to foresee any changes.
Predicted line-up
- T.Rogers
- J.Clarke
- C.Kellaway
- S.Harper (wk)
- M.Stoinis (c)
- G.Maxwell
- H.Cartwright
- T.Curran
- M.Swepson
- Haris Rauf
- P.Siddle
