Round 8 BBL|15 predicted line-ups with SuperCoach explanations

Round 8 is almost here, with the Melbourne Renegades on the double, thrusting them into relevance. We’ve taken a look at all the predicted Round 8 sides, listing unavailabilities.

Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades
Monday 12 January, 7:15pm local time / AEDT
ENGIE Stadium, Sydney

Sydney Thunder
Not 100%: David Warner (knee)
Unavailable: Lockie Ferguson (injury/ILT20), Ravi Ashwin (knee), Shadab Khan (Pakistan T20Is), Reece Topley (SA20)

No changes

David Warner’s fitness will be a big watch ahead of this game, having been unable to field on Saturday following a blow during his batting innings. If he’s out, Sam Konstas comes back in. With the Thunder’s finals hopes over, they might give some kids a game, including Aidan O’Connor and Blake Nikitaras. Fast bowler Ryan Hadley wasn’t able to lock down a spot when given a chance with 0-28 from 2 overs.

Predicted line-up

1. M.Gilkes
2. D.Warner (c)
3. C.Bancroft
4. S.Billings (wk)
5. N.Maddinson
6. D.Sams
7. C.Green
8. D.Willey
9. R.Hadley
10. T.Sangha
11. W.Agar

Melbourne Renegades
Not 100%: Adam Zampa (neck)
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (hamstring), Will Salzmann (hamstring), Ollie Peake (U19 World Cup), Tom Rogers (shoulder), Brendan Doggett (hamstring)

Likely Ins: H.Dixon, S.Elliott / Likely Outs: C.Jewell, B.Doggett

The Gades have a few selection quandaries brewing ahead of their double, with Adam Zampa and Tom Rogers both pushing for selection after injuries. This game might be too soon for both. If Zampa is good to go, he comes in for Callum Stow.

The Gades are also coming off a bad loss to the Stars where their bowlers struggled which could open the door for Sam Elliott to return, with Brendan Doggett ruled out on Monday morning with minor hamstring awareness. Caleb Jewell got a golden duck on debut and may come under pressure for his spot from Harry Dixon too.

Predicted line-up

1. J.Brown
2. T.Seifert
3. J.Fraser-McGurk
4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
5. H.Dixon
6. Hassan Khan
7. W.Sutherland (c)
8. S.Elliott
9. G.Sandhu
10. C.Stow
11. J.Behrendorff

Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers
Tuesday 13 January, 7:15pm local time / AEDT
MCG, Melbourne

Melbourne Stars
Not 100%: Joe Clarke (hip)
Unavailable: Mark Steketee (hamstring), Scott Boland (post-Ashes break)

No changes

The inclusion of Joe Clarke is really the only potential change for the Stars, but after Tom Rogers’ blistering derby knock, it’ll be hard to force his way in. Blake Macdonald is most vulnerable. Keep an eye on Glenn Maxwell’s batting role, after coming in at 4 on Saturday.

Predicted line-up

1. T.Rogers
2. S.Harper (wk)
3. C.Kellaway
4. B.Macdonald
5. M.Stoinis (c)
6. G.Maxwell
7. H.Cartwright
8. T.Curran
9. M.Swepson
10. Haris Rauf
11. P.Siddle

Adelaide Strikers
Not 100%: Thomas Kelly (back)
Unavailable: Travis Head (post-Ashes break)

Likely Ins: T.Shamsi, H.Thornton / Likely Outs: Hassan Ali, C.Boyce

It’s anticipated Hassan Ali and Tabraiz Shamsi will continue to swap spots. That’ll create a dilemma with three spinners in the side, but Cam Boyce is likely the unlucky one to miss out, with Henry Thornton in the mix to return.

Predicted line-up

1. M.Short (c)
2. C.Lynn
3. A.Carey (wk)
4. M.Harvey
5. L.Scott
6. H.Manenti
7. J.Overton
8. L.Wood
9. H.Thornton
10. L.Pope
11. T.Shamsi

Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat
Wednesday 14 January, 7:15pm local time / AEDT
Ninja Stadium, Hobart

Hobart Hurricanes
Not 100%: Jake Weatherald (post-Ashes break)
Unavailable: Tim David (hamstring), Iain Carlisle (hamstring)

Likely Ins: N.Ellis / Likely Outs: B.Stanlake

Nathan Ellis should return after being managed, while keep an eye on Jake Weatherald’s status which will impact Tim Ward’s selection. Ellis likely replaces Billy Stanlake, but the ‘Canes may also look to keep managing/rotating players with finals likely.

Predicted line-up

1. M.Owen
2. T.Ward
3. B.Webster
4. B.McDermott
5. N.Chaudhary
6. M.Wade (wk)
7. Rehan Ahmed
8. C.Jordan
9. N.Ellis (c)
10. Rishad Hossain
11. R.Meredith

Brisbane Heat
Not 100%: Michael Neser (post-Ashes break)
Unavailable: Callum Vidler (stress fracture), Spencer Johnson (back), Shaheen Shah Afridi (knee), Tom Alsop (knee)

Likely Ins: M.Neser / Likely Outs: T.Balkin

There’s no need for changes for the Heat after a handsome win bolstered by their Australian Test players returning. Michael Neser’s availability is the watch and he should come in for Tom Balkin to bolster their line-up further. Jack Wildermuth’s swashbuckling knock as an opener means they’ll persist with him up top despite Marnus Labuschagne’s availability.

Predicted line-up

1. U.Khawaja (c)
2. J.Wildermuth
3. N.McSweeney
4. M.Renshaw
5. M.Bryant
6. M.Labuschagne
7. J.Peirson (wk)
8. M.Neser
9. X.Bartlett
10. M.Kuhnemann
11. Zaman Khan

Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers
Thursday 15 January, 7:15pm local time / AEDT
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Melbourne Renegades
Not 100%: Tom Rogers (shoulder), Brendan Doggett (hamstring awareness)
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (hamstring), Will Salzmann (hamstring), Ollie Peake (U19 World Cup)

Likely Ins: B.Doggett, H.Dixon / Likely Outs: S.Elliott, C.Jewell

The Gades’ finals hopes are on the line, so they could rush back Tom Rogers after returning from a long-term shoulder injury on the weekend in club cricket, but this is a big step-up after a long lay-off. Brendan Doggett will be considered after missing last game with hamstring awareness, with Sam Elliott in the gun for him. Caleb Jewell likely makes way after 2 failures, with Harry Dixon ready for his chance.

Predicted line-up

1. J.Brown
2. T.Seifert
3. J.Fraser-McGurk
4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
5. H.Dixon
6. Hassan Khan
7. W.Sutherland (c)
8. G.Sandhu
9. B.Doggett
10. A.Zampa
11. J.Behrendorff

Perth Scorchers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Lance Morris (back), Ashton Agar (calf), Joel Paris (groin), Josh Inglis (CA workload management)

Likely Ins: N.Hobson / Likely Outs: J.Inglis

There’s not much need for changes for Perth beyond the conditions, which will most likely impact picking leg spinner Luke Holt or fast bowler Brody Couch. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has been ruled out due to CA workload management ahead of the T20 World Cup, meaning Nick Hobson returns and one of Finn Allen or Laurie Evans takes the gloves.

Predicted line-up

1. M.Marsh
2. F.Allen
3. C.Connolly
4. A.Hardie
5. A.Turner (c)
6. L.Evans (wk)
7. N.Hobson
8. J.Richardson
9. L.Holt
10. D.Payne
11. M.Beardman