The BBL|15 season runs from December 14 to January 25, but the annual SuperCoach question during every campaign is who’ll be unavailable and in which rounds.
There’s always clashes with international games and rival T20 leagues, with this summer’s schedule alongside the Ashes and the ILT20 comp, which has been shuffled to a December 2 to January 4 fixture.
The Ashes – Australia vs England – Nov 21 to Jan 8
Selected: Alex Carey, Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers), Michael Neser, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja (Brisbane Heat), Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster (Hobart Hurricanes), Brendan Doggett (Melbourne Renegades), Scott Boland (Melbourne Stars), Jhye Richardson, Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers), Mitch Starc, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith (Sydney Sixers)
Following the early conclusion of the Boxing Day Test, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis were released for Round 3 and Round 4 fixtures respectively. Note, Inglis is only available for Perth’s first game of their Round 4 double.
The Test squad re-assembled in Sydney on New Year’s Eve for the fifth and final Ashes Test which is slated to run in Sydney from January 4-8. We’ve had two 2-day Tests, so you never know if it’ll finish early, so keep an eye on that.
Based on the current Test fixture, Test players who opt to play BBL will be available from January 8-9, which equates to roughly Round 7 onwards. That’s relevant for Webster whose Hobart Hurricanes have a Round 7 double, along with Alex Carey and Travis Head’s Adelaide Strikers who also have a Round 7 double. Word is, however, Head won’t play BBL|15.
In the past, Test batters have been more inclined to play BBL than bowlers. Those who’ve been largely unused during the Ashes, like Webster, Inglis, Brendan Doggett, Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy should be in contention.
SA20 – South Africa T20 competition – Dec 26 to Jan 25
Contracted: Reece Topley (Sydney Thunder)
Reece Topley will join Joburg Super Kings, with the Thunder having his services until December 31, meaning his final game is their Round 4 clash with the Perth Scorchers.
ILT20 – UAE T20 competition – Dec 2 to Jan 4
Contracted: David Payne (Perth Scorchers), Lockie Ferguson (Sydney Thunder), Sam Curran (Sydney Sixers), Tabraiz Shamsi (Adelaide Strikers), David Willey (Dubai Capitals)
Tabraiz Shamsi’s Gulf Giants have missed finals, so he’ll head to Australia to join the Adelaide Strikers – although that’s yet to be announced. His first game should be Round 5’s game against Perth on January 4.
David Willey‘s Dubai Capitals were eliminated from the ILT20 on New Year’s Day, and he’ll link up with the Thunder in Adelaide on January 6, which is also Round 6.
David Payne and Sam Curran’s Desert Vipers are into the ILT20 Final which is on January 4. They’ll likely head to Australia straight after that, equating to Round 6. Curran’s Sixers have a Round 6 double, but he’ll miss the first game of that on January 5.
Thunder quick Lockie Ferguson is in the Vipers squad but suffered a calf injury and has flown to New Zealand to recover. He’s been ruled out of BBL|15.
Pakistan T20Is – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Jan 7 to Jan 11
Selected: Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder)
Thunder all-rounder Shadab Khan is the only BBL player selected for this series. He’ll fly out after their Round 5 game and return for Round 9 plus finals.
U19 World Cup – Zimbabwe/Namibia – Jan 15 to Feb 6
Selected: Ollie Peake (Melbourne Renegades)
Renegades batsman Ollie Peake will captain Australia and exit after their Round 5 game, missing their Round 8 double.
England ODIs/T20Is – Sri Lanka vs England series – Jan 22 onwards
Selected: Jamie Overton, Luke Wood (Adelaide Strikers), Rehan Ahmed (Hobart Hurricanes), Sam Curran (Sydney Sixers)
England have announced that he’ll fly out of the UK for Sri Lanka on January 18. It’s anticipated the BBL contingent will fly from Australia on the same day, which equates to the final round-robin game of BBL|15 which is the Heat vs Sixers, so Sam Curran will probably miss Round 9. They’ll all miss finals.
