The squads for the Sydney Sixers-Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers-Perth Scorchers games were announced with a few shock exclusions.
SQUAD NEWS
The Sydney Sixers named their 14-man squad to face the Hobart Hurricanes at the SCG on Sunday, with two Test players returning.
Gun batsman Steve Smith headlines the inclusions alongside spinner Todd Murphy, with Dan Hughes (illness) and Mitch Perry dropping out.
Sydney Sixers
Ins: Smith, Murphy / Outs: Hughes (illness), Perry
Squad: Henriques (c), Abbott, Babar Azam, Curran, Davies, Dwarshuis, Edwards, Kerr, Manenti, Murphy, Philippe, Shaw, Silk, Smith
The Hurricanes revealed their 14-man squad with some shock announcements, with Nathan Ellis managed for the game.
Hobart said in an update: “Ellis is being managed for this match, with a BBL Finals campaign looking likely for Purple Army over the coming weeks.”
Beau Webster returns from the Test squad but Jake Weatherald isn’t included as he gets an extended post-Ashes break, in a likely reprieve for Tim Ward.
Hobart said: “Jake Weatherald, who has been unavailable due to the Ashes, will not be available for this match against the Sixers. His availability will continue to be monitored as BBL|15 continues.”
Hobart Hurricanes
Ins: Webster / Outs: Ellis (managed)
Squad: Rehan Ahmed, Chaudhary, Rishad Hossain, Jordan, McDermott, Meredith, Owen, Prestwidge, Stanlake, Wade, Wakim, Ward, Webster, Wright
The Adelaide Strikers confirmed their 13-man squad to face the Perth Scorchers at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, with some big absentees.
Alex Carey returns from the Test squad and will play, with Pakistani paceman Hassan Ali and spinner Cameron Boyce also added to the squad.
On Carey, Adelaide’s update said: “Carey will join the squad for the remainder of the BBL|15 season. The exciting wicketkeeper and batsman will be available for selection for the remaining three games.”
Local replacement player Jerrssis Wadia makes way, along with South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi – with the Strikers rotating their imports – and Alex Ross too.
On Wadia, the Strikers explained: “Wadia, who was a local replacement player for Alex Carey, is no longer available for selection.”
Adelaide Strikers
Ins: Hassan Ali, Boyce, Carey / Outs: Shamsi, Wadia, Ross
Squad: Short (c), Hassan Ali, Boyce, Carey, Harvey, Lynn, Manenti, Overton, Pope, Sangha, Scott, Thornton, Wood
The Scorchers announced their 14-man squad to take on the Strikers with a new face in Willetton leg-spinner Luke Holt, who could play with Ashton Agar (calf) absent and Corey Rocchiccioli left out.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis returns from the Test squad, with Joel Paris also making way with a groin injury.
Mitch Marsh has been in some doubt with a dislocated finger, but he battered away any concerns on that. He said: “I dislocated it last game. It’s absolutely play on. (I’ll) keep it in tow for the next few weeks. 17 years (as a top-level cricketer) and I’ve never dislocated a finger, so that was a first, but it’s absolutely fine.”
Perth Scorchers
Ins: Holt, Inglis / Outs: Paris (groin), Rocchiccioli
Squad: Turner (c), Allen, Beardman, Connolly, Couch, Evans, Fanning, Hardie, Hobson, Holt, Inglis, Marsh, Payne, Richardson
UPDATES
David Warner suffered an injury concern playing for the Sydney Thunder on Saturday. The Thunder update said: “Warner will not be fielding in the upcoming innings due to a knee injury sustained after being hit by a ball. Chris Green will captain the fielding innings, with Sam Konstas as the sub fielder.”
