Round 9 is almost here, with the Sydney Sixers on the double, thrusting them into relevance. We’ve taken a look at all the predicted Round 9 sides, listing unavailabilities.
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder
Friday 16 January, 7:15pm local time / AEDT
SCG, Sydney
Sydney Sixers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: None
Likely Ins: M.Starc / Likely Outs: B.Manenti
In a major boost for the Sixers, Ashes Player of the Series Mitch Starc will play on Friday night, along with Steve Smith whose return was cut short due to rain. It’s a tough call on who misses out for Starc, but spinner Ben Manenti is most vulnerable despite a few good games.
Daniel Hughes is available after illness but there’s no top-order spots for him, so Lachie Shaw should hold his place in the line-up. Jordan Silk hasn’t made the 14-player squad, nor spinner Todd Murphy. It’s hard to see a spot for Hayden Kerr.
Predicted line-up
- Babar Azam
- S.Smith
- J.Philippe (wk)
- M.Henriques
- S.Curran
- L.Shaw
- J.Edwards
- J.Davies
- B.Dwarshuis
- S.Abbott
- M.Starc
Sydney Thunder
Not 100%: David Warner (knee)
Unavailable: Lockie Ferguson (injury/ILT20), Ravi Ashwin (knee), Shadab Khan (Pakistan T20Is), Reece Topley (SA20), David Willey (stint over), Cameron Bancroft (thumb)
Likely Ins: D.Warner, A.O’Connor / Outs: C.Bancroft (inj), D.Willey
It’s hard to know if David Warner will be fit to play, but it seems he is keen despite their season being over. The Thunder could inject some youth, with any of Aidan O’Connor, Blake Nikitaras and Ollie Davies in the mix. If Warner isn’t fit, Nikitaras could open the batting.
English all-rounder David Willey’s stint is over and Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan isn’t returning, so young Tasmanian all-rounder Aidan O’Connor could get his chance. Either of Tom Andrews or Tanveer Sangha will offer spin.
Predicted line-up
- M.Gilkes
- D.Warner (c)
- S.Konstas
- S.Billings (wk)
- N.Maddinson
- D.Sams
- C.Green
- A.O’Connor
- T.Andrews
- R.Hadley
- W.Agar
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Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades
Saturday 17 January, 4:30pm local time / 5pm AEDT
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Adelaide Strikers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Travis Head (post-Ashes break), Cameron Boyce (concussion)
Likely Ins: L.Wood, H.Thornton, M.Harvey, J.Wadia / Likely Outs: Hassan Ali, C.Boyce, J.Sangha, H.Manenti
The Strikers are coming off a batting calamity, albeit on a tough pitch at the MCG. Veteran Alex Ross’ absence has been peculiar, but with finals out of the equation now, it’s likely they persist with younger options like Jerrssis Wadia, so Mackenzie Harvey could get back in given Jason Sangha has been under-performing. It’s expected they’ll continue to rotate their imports, with Luke Wood to return. Cameron Boyce is out with concussion with Tabraiz Shamsi should hold, while Henry Thornton is due an opportunity.
Predicted line-up
- A.Carey (wk)
- M.Short (c)
- C.Lynn
- M.Harvey
- L.Scott
- J.Overton
- J.Wadia
- L.Wood
- H.Thornton
- L.Pope
- T.Shamsi
Melbourne Renegades
Not 100%: Tom Rogers (shoulder), Harry Dixon (neck/head)
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (hamstring), Will Salzmann (hamstring), Ollie Peake (U19 World Cup), Gurinder Sandhu (knee soreness), Adam Zampa (national duties)
Likely Ins: C.Jewell, C.Stow, J.Behrendorff / Likely Outs: H.Dixon, A.Zampa, G.Sandhu
The Gades cannot make the finals anymore so they could throw up a few selection surprises. Harry Dixon copped a nasty blow on Thursday night and appeared pretty shaken, so may not make the flight to Adelaide, opening the door for a Caleb Jewell third chance.
Jason Behrendorff was sensationally omitted last game but could find his way back in with Gurinder Sandhu out with knee soreness. Adam Zampa will miss as CA preserve him ahead of the T20 World Cup, with one of Callum Stow, Michael Archer or Matthew Spoors to play. The Gades may consider an Andrew Tye send-off game too, ahead of Behrendorff.
Predicted line-up
- J.Brown
- T.Seifert
- J.Fraser-McGurk
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- C.Jewell
- Hassan Khan
- W.Sutherland (c)
- S.Elliott
- B.Doggett
- C.Stow
- J.Behrendorff
👏 As we enter the final round of the #SuperCoachBBL season, we have a small request
If you’ve enjoyed our work this season, you can support us by buying us a coffee (from $5) ☕
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— Honeyball BBL 🏏 (@HoneyballBBL) January 16, 2026
Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars
Saturday 17 January, 5:15pm local time / 8:15pm AEDT
Optus Stadium, Perth
Perth Scorchers
Not 100%: Finn Allen (hamstring), Mitch Marsh (heel/ankle)
Unavailable: Lance Morris (back), Ashton Agar (calf), Joel Paris (groin)
Likely Ins: J.Inglis / Likely Outs: N.Hobson
Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis will return after missing Thursday’s game for CA workload management reasons ahead of the T20 World Cup, meaning Nick Hobson is likely the one to drop out. Laurie Evans will relinquish the gloves for Inglis.
This game will come too soon for Joel Paris and Ashton Agar, so the Scorchers may go with an unchanged attack. If anything, they may consider Brody Couch ahead of leg-spinner Luke Holt at Optus but it has been spin friendly lately.
Predicted line-up
- M.Marsh
- F.Allen
- C.Connolly
- J.Inglis (wk)
- A.Hardie
- A.Turner (c)
- L.Evans
- J.Richardson
- L.Holt
- D.Payne
- M.Beardman
Melbourne Stars
Not 100%: Joe Clarke (hip), Marcus Stoinis (thumb)
Unavailable: Mark Steketee (hamstring), Scott Boland (post-Ashes break)
No changes
The Stars are finals bound but they’ll know victory means top spot, so there’s plenty to play for. Marcus Stoinis is expected to be fit to play despite retiring hurt last game with a thumb concern. Joe Clarke could return from a hip injury, with Blake Macdonald or Campbell Kellaway most likely to make way. Then again, they may opt to leave Clarke out. Could they leave Peter Siddle at home for the long trip and rest him up for finals? Liam Hatcher probably plays if so.
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
👏 As we enter the final round of the #SuperCoachBBL season, we have a small request
If you’ve enjoyed our work this season, you can support us by buying us a coffee (from $5) ☕
Donate here ⤵️⤵️https://t.co/6577hWjgxt#SuperCoach #SuperCoachBBL #GDSFantasy #BBL15
— Honeyball BBL 🏏 (@HoneyballBBL) January 16, 2026
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers
Sunday 18 January, 6:15pm local time / 7:15pm AEDT
Gabba, Brisbane
Brisbane Heat
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Callum Vidler (stress fracture), Spencer Johnson (back), Shaheen Shah Afridi (knee), Tom Alsop (knee)
No changes
The Heat were clutch when it mattered against Hobart, but otherwise well beaten for most of the game, so they’ll consider their options. In saying that, it’s hard to see any need for change. If anything, they’d be wise to get Marnus Labuschagne in to face more balls with the bat and he could slot into the top order with Jack Wildermuth demoted, but that seems unlikely.
Predicted line-up
- U.Khawaja (c)
- J.Wildermuth
- N.McSweeney
- M.Renshaw
- M.Bryant
- M.Labuschagne
- J.Peirson (wk)
- M.Neser
- X.Bartlett
- M.Kuhnemann
- Zaman Khan
Sydney Sixers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: None
Ins: B.Dwarshuis / Outs: J.Davies
Ben Dwarshuis reportedly missed Friday’s game with minor knee soreness so comes in line to return with one of the spinners Ben Manenti or Joel Davies probably the unlucky one to miss, although Sean Abbott struggled on Friday night, putting his spot in some jeopardy. Manenti might be favoured to play given the Heat’s left-handers in their batting line-up. English import Sam Curran will be available before departing for international duty, while Steve Smith and Mitch Starc’s rare availability won’t be risked with a finals spot on the line, so they’ll play.
Predicted line-up
- Babar Azam
- S.Smith
- J.Philippe (wk)
- M.Henriques
- S.Curran
- L.Shaw
- J.Edwards
- B.Dwarshuis
- B.Manenti
- S.Abbott
- M.Starc
