Round 5 is almost here, with the Melbourne Stars on the double, thrusting them into relevance. We’ve taken a look at all the predicted Round 5 sides, listing unavailabilities.
Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars
Friday 2 January, 6:15pm local time / 7:15pm AEDT
Gabba, Brisbane
Brisbane Heat
Not 100%: Nathan McSweeney (ankle)
Unavailable: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser (Test squad), Callum Vidler (stress fracture), Spencer Johnson (back), Tom Alsop (knee), Shaheen Shah Afridi (knee),
Likely Ins: N.McSweeney / Likely Outs: L.Hearne
The Heat were humbled by the Strikers last game, with a poor batting display so Nathan McSweeney will return to try to fix that, slotting in at 3 with Lachlan Hearne making way. Young quicks Tom Balkin and Oli Patterson offered a bit and should get another gig.
Predicted line-up
- C.Munro
- J.Wildermuth
- N.McSweeney (c)
- M.Renshaw
- H.Weibgen
- M.Bryant
- J.Peirson (wk)
- X.Bartlett
- M.Kuhnemann
- T.Balkin
- O.Patterson
Melbourne Stars
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Scott Boland (Test squad), Mark Steketee (hamstring), Joe Clarke (hip)
Likely Ins: S.Hain / Likely Outs: J.Clarke (inj)
Joe Clarke scored 60 off 37 balls last game but he’s picked up a hip injury and will miss this one. The Stars have signed English middle-order bat Sam Hain as an overseas replacement player and he’ll likely slot straight in. He bats primarily at 4 for Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast, which is likely his role, with Tom Rogers returning to open.
Predicted line-up
- T.Rogers
- S.Harper (wk)
- C.Kellaway
- S.Hain
- M.Stoinis (c)
- G.Maxwell
- H.Cartwright
- T.Curran
- M.Swepson
- Haris Rauf
- P.Siddle
Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes
Saturday 3 January, 7:15pm local time/AEDT
ENGIE Stadium, Sydney
Sydney Thunder
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Lockie Ferguson (injury/ILT20), Ravi Ashwin (knee)
Likely Ins: R.Hadley, N.Maddinsno / Likely Outs: R.Topley, C.Bancroft
The Thunder were brushed aside in their last few games against the Stars and Scorchers, leaving them last on the table with a 1-4 record, so they’ll be plotting some changes. This game is Shadab Khan’s last before he flies out for Pakistan T20I duty. Reece Topley’s stint has ended, departing for the SA20 too, so that’s a forced change with Ryan Hadley or Wes Agar to replace him. Cam Bancroft could be at risk of losing his spot, but the Thunder aren’t blessed with back-up bats banging down the door, with Nic Maddinson, Blake Nikitaras and Ollie Davies the next cabs off the rank.
Predicted line-up
- S.Konstas
- M.Gilkes
- D.Warner (c)
- N.Maddinson
- S.Billings (wk)
- Shadab Khan
- D.Sams
- C.Green
- N.McAndrew
- R.Hadley
- T.Sangha
Hobart Hurricanes
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Beau Webster, Jake Weatherald (Test squad), Tim David (hamstring), Iain Carlisle (hamstring)
No changes
Hobart’s nine-game unbeaten run at home came to an end against Perth, following a difficult bowling display. If there’s any changes, it’ll be to freshen up the attack, with Billy Stanlake waiting in the wings. The other change could be reverting Nik Chaudhary to first drop, with Mac Wright into the middle order.
Predicted line-up
- M.Owen
- T.Ward
- N.Chaudhary
- B.McDermott
- M.Wright
- M.Wade (wk)
- Rehan Ahmed
- C.Jordan
- N.Ellis (c)
- Rishad Hossain
- R.Meredith
Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades
Sunday 4 January, 6:05pm local time/AEDT
MCG, Melbourne
Melbourne Stars
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Scott Boland (Test squad), Mark Steketee (hamstring), Joe Clarke (hip)
The Stars’ bowlers were blown away late by the Heat on Friday night, leaving them with their first loss and some questions to answer. It’s hard to see that leading to major changes, but they may consider resting veteran Peter Siddle, given the short turn-around but he has been in ripping form. Liam Hatcher could be considered along with spinner Hamish McKenzie at the MCG. Blake Macdonald definitely did enough to hold his spot ahead of import Sam Hain, who’s avenue into the side might be dropping Tom Rogers and re-shuffling the order.
Predicted line-up
- T.Rogers
- S.Harper (wk)
- C.Kellaway
- B.Macdonald
- M.Stoinis (c)
- G.Maxwell
- H.Cartwright
- T.Curran
- M.Swepson
- Haris Rauf
- P.Siddle
Melbourne Renegades
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (hamstring), Brendan Doggett (Test squad), Will Salzmann (hamstring), Callum Stow (back), Adam Zampa (neck), Tom Rogers (shoulder)
No changes
The ‘Gades are 1-3 but it’s hard to know where they can to arrest their struggles. Big names Mohammad Rizwan, Will Sutherland and Jake Fraser-McGurk have all under-performed but it’s hard to see any of them dropped. Likewise, recruit Jason Behrendorff has only taken 4 wickets in 4 games. That’s where the improvement can come from. Fergus O’Neill and Caleb Jewell remain options to bring in.
Predicted line-up
- J.Brown
- T.Seifert
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- J.Fraser-McGurk
- O.Peake
- Hassan Khan
- W.Sutherland (c)
- M.Spoors
- A.Tye
- G.Sandhu
- J.Behrendorff
Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers
Sunday 4 January, 6:15pm local time / 9:15pm AEDT
Optus Stadium, Perth
Perth Scorchers
Not 100%: Matt Kelly (injury)
Unavailable: David Payne (ILT20), Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson (Test squad), Lance Morris (back), Finn Allen (finger)
Likely Ins: S.Fanning / Likely Outs: F.Allen (inj)
Perth are purring after back-to-back road wins and will look to maintain their form at home to the Strikers. There’s no need for any changes after a couple of dominant batting displays and good bowling efforts. Matt Kelly’s availability is a watch. Likewise, Laurie Evans seemed to spend time off the field on New Year’s Day.
Finn Allen is out, having picked up a finger injury against Hobart last game that visibly impacting his keeping. Perth could bring in specialist keeper Joel Curtis or use Laurie Evans with the gloves, which he does part-time, allowing specialist opener Sam Fanning to slot into Allen’s batting role. Both are feasible, but given Fanning’s experience and lack of disruption to the order, we think Perth will go that way.
Predicted line-up
- S.Fanning
- M.Marsh
- C.Connolly
- A.Hardie
- A.Turner (c)
- L.Evans (wk)
- N.Hobson
- A.Agar
- J.Paris
- B.Couch
- M.Beardman
Adelaide Strikers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Travis Head, Alex Carey (Test squad)
Likely Ins: T.Shamsi / Likely Outs: Hassan Ali
The Strikers had a good New Year’s Eve win led by their bowlers, who rolled the Heat for only 121. The move to leave out Harry Nielsen and give Mackenzie Harvey the gloves worked well. Hassan Ali picked up a knock during the Heat game, so keep an eye on that.
Adelaide have signed South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi who has flown into Perth to join the squad and play this game after finishing up at the ILT20, squeezing out Ali.
Predicted line-up
- M.Short (c)
- C.Lynn
- M.Harvey (wk)
- J.Sangha
- L.Scott
- H.Manenti
- J.Overton
- J.Wadia
- L.Wood
- T.Shamsi
- L.Pope
About The Author
Ben Somerford
