International cricket calendar: Who’s available and when in KFC SuperCoach BBL
What does England’s tour of South Africa mean for the BBL? Which Aussie stars will available? Here’s how the international calendar affects KFC SuperCoach BBL.
SuperCoach BBL
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach BBL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
KFC SuperCoaches were smiling when Cricket Australia announced the limited-overs fixtures against India will be played before the Test series this summer, making some of the BBL’s biggest names available for the whole tournament.
But with England’s tour of South Africa confirmed for latest this month, some very popular international players are set to miss a big part of BBL10.
Here’s how the current international cricket fixture affects KFC SuperCoach BBL this year.
South Africa v England
November 28 to December 9
T20s: Nov 28, 29 and Dec 2.
ODIs: Dec 4, 6, 9.
WHO’S MISSING
Jason Roy (Scorchers), Liam Livingstone (Scorchers), Lewis Gregory (Heat) and Tom Curran (Sixers) are unlikely to be available until after Christmas, following the confirmation of England’s limited-overs tour of South Africa. The imports will have to serve a government-enforced two-week quarantine period on their arrival to Australia following the final ODI on December 9. Dawid Malan (Hurricanes) has only been included in the T20 squad, so he may be available a week earlier.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Jonny Bairstow (Stars), Chris Jordan (Hurricanes) and Sam Billings (Sixers) have also been linked to a BBL stint this summer but, if it does eventuate, it won’t be until after Christmas.
Tom Banton (Heat) has also been named as one of three reserve players for the tour.
James Vince (Sixers) has been left out altogether in a big boost to the Sydney Sixers and KFC SuperCoaches, while Phil Salt will also be available from the get-to if returns to the Strikers.
WHO STEPS UP
With Roy and Livingstone missing from the Scorchers’ lineup, KFC SuperCoach cheapies Sam Whiteman ($81k) and Cam Bancroft ($62k) could get early opportunity at the top of the order. Wonderkid Cam Green could also bat higher.
But keep in mind, fellow Englishman Joe Clarke, who was the fifth-highest run scorer in the recent Vitality Blast, is set to sign for the Scorchers to start the summer. The 23-year-old is yet to make his international debut but he’s highly-rated in England.
It’s a similar story for Essex’s Dan Lawrence, who is set to cover for Banton in Brisbane.
Australia v India (limited-overs)
November 27 to December 8
ODIs – Nov 27, 29, Dec 2
T20s – Dec 4, 6, 8
WHO’S MISSING
With six limited-overs internationals against India to be played before the four-match Test series, and the postponement of January’s white-ball series against New Zealand, T20 stars including Marcus Stoinis (Stars), Aaron Finch (Renegades), Glenn Maxwell (Stars), Ashton Agar (Scorchers) and Alex Carey (Strikers) will be free for most of BBL10.
And with the BBL10 opener confirmed for December 10 in Hobart, they aren’t expected to miss key early games, as initially expected.
With the final T20 international to played on December 8, it’s also good news for BBL guns Mitch Marsh (Scorchers), Kane Richardson (Renegades), Josh Phillipe (Sixers), Daniel Sams (Thunder), Sean Abbott (Sixers) and Riley Meredith (Hurricanes) – all who were part of Australian’s T20 tour of England earlier this year.
Of those not joining the Test squad, fitness or any load management appears the only thing which could get in the way.
ULTIMATE GUIDE: ALL THE SUPERCOACH BBL CHEAPIES TO CONSIDER
Australia v India (Test)
December 27 - January 19
1st test: Dec 17 – 21
2nd test: Dec 26 –30
3rd test: Jan 7 – 11
4th test: Jan 15 – 19
WHO’S MISSING
Steve Smith has already ruled himself out of BBL10, while David Warner (Sixers), Pat Cummins (Thunder) and Josh Hazelwood (Sixers) are unlikely to feature heavily – if at all – in between Test duties. Travis Head (Strikers) and Matthew Wade (Hurricanes) are likely to miss a significant chunk of the tournament while man-of-the-moment – and one of the most-popular pre-season SuperCoach names - Cam Green (Scorchers) could also be taken from Perth’s line-up if he earns a Baggy Green.
KEEP AN EYE ON
After a strong start to the Shield season, Ashton Agar (Scorchers), Will Pucovski (Stars), Marcus Harris (Renegades) and Michael Neser (Strikers) are also outside chances for a call-up at some point.
OTHER FIXTURES OF NOTE
With the current BBL squads, these international fixtures are unlikely to have a big impact on this summer’s tournament. But with more international signings to be announced, keep the dates below in mind.
New Zealand v West Indies
1st Test: Dec 3 – 7
2nd Test: Dec 11 – 15
New Zealand v Pakistan
T20s – Dec 18, 20, 22
1st test: Dec 26 – 30
2nd test: Jan 3 – 7
South Africa v Sri Lanka
1st test: Dec 26 – 30
2nd test: Jan 3 - 7
MORE SUPERCOACH BBL
Originally published as International cricket calendar: Who’s available and when in KFC SuperCoach BBL