SuperCoach BBL international calendar: When do overseas stars depart BBL09?
International stars with the quality of Dale Steyn and AB De Villiers will feature in this summer’s BBL. But how long are they around for and how will it affect your SuperCoach BBL planning?
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It’s almost AB De Villiers time.
The biggest signing in Big Bash League history is less than two weeks away from making his debut for Brisbane Heat, replacing English batsman Tom Banton.
Under Big Bash League rules, clubs can contract up to six international players but only play two in each match.
14 days until @ABdeVilliers17 arrives in Brisbane 🙌#BringTheHeat #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/5gOHrUHcfO
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) December 29, 2019
This rule forced Melbourne Stars to make a tough call on then BBL leading wicket-taker Haris Rauf, who was dropped for Dale Steyn after taking five wickets.
Five BBL clubs have contracted their international players for the full season — Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.
There will be mid-season changes at the Heat, Renegades and Stars, while other squads could yet be impacted by international duties.
The Australian one-day squad is due to leave for India on January 8 for a three-match series.
Here’s how each BBL team would be affected and it could impact you in SuperCoach BBL.
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What does the Australian one-day tour of India mean for SuperCoach BBL?
You missed the first game of BBL09, but it’s not too late to join SuperCoach BBL
ADELAIDE STRIKERS
Rashid Khan
Phil Salt
Lock them in for the full Big Bash League campaign. Adelaide has a bye in Round 5 but then shares a double with Hobart Hurricanes in Round 12.
BRISBANE HEAT
Tom Banton
Zahir Khan
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
AB De Villiers
South African great AB De Villiers should be available for the last six games of the regular season and finals. If that timeline eventuates, he would debut at The Gabba on January 14 — Round 9 of SuperCoach BBL. Mujeeb, who has been playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, is scheduled to join Brisbane at the same time. However, his availability could yet to be determined by the BPL which finishes on January 18. Mujeeb has been playing for Cumilla Warriors who were fifth after seven matches.
KEY DATES
AB De Villiers: Possible Round 9 debut — January 14 vs Adelaide Strikers
Mujeeb Ur Rahman: Possible Round 9 return — availability dependent on BPL
HOBART HURRICANES
David Miller
Qais Ahmad
Miller and Ahmad have signed on for the full season. South African international Miller is unlikely to be available for finals should the Hurricanes qualify due to international commitments. The Proteas have a one-day series against England starting on February 4. BBL finals start on January 30.
KEY DATES
David Miller: South Africa’s ODI series against England starts on February 4. Miller would almost certainly miss finals if named in the squad.
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Harry Gurney
Richard Gleeson
Mohammad Nabi
Gleeson was a late replacement after Usman Shinwari earned a Test berth and Faheem Ashraf was recalled by his local side. The English seamer has signed for the first eight matches before Mohammad Nabi arrives after playing in the Bangladesh Premier League. The changeover from Gleeson to Nabi is due to take place for Round 8, however the BPL final is six days after the Renegades’ January 12 clash with Adelaide Strikers. Nabi’s Rangpur Rangers were bottom of the table after six games and unlikely to reach the decider. Gurney has signed for the full season.
KEY DATES
Mohammad Nabi: Due to replace Richard Gleeson after eight games. The Renegades’ ninth game of BBL09 is January 12 against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
MELBOURNE STARS
Sandeep Lamichhane
Dale Steyn
Haris Rauf
Pat Brown
In commentary of the Stars-Adelaide BBL fixture, Heat captain Chris Lynn said he was surprised the Stars hadn’t unleashed Haris Rauf and Dale Steyn in tandem. The Stars plucked Pakistani quick Rauf from Tasmanian grade cricket and he was a revelation with seven wickets in two games while Steyn was injured. Englishman Pat Brown was due to replace Steyn, but will the Stars turn to Rauf instead? Lamichhane split duties between the BBL and Bangladesh last season but is with the Stars for the full tournament in BBL09.
KEY DATES
Dale Steyn: Signed for the first six matches but missed two with injury. His last fixture will be the Round 5 derby against the Renegades on January 4.
Pat Brown: Due to join the Stars as Steyn’s replacement. The Stars have a bye in SuperCoach BBL Round 6, but the Englishman could debut on January 8 in the first game of a Round 7 double. Brown is yet to play an ODI but is in England’s T20 squad to face South Africa. The first game of that series is February 13. The BBL final is February 8.
PERTH SCORCHERS
Liam Livingstone
Chris Jordan
Both Livingstone and Jordan are contracted for the full season. Despite his T20 prowess, Jordan hasn’t played a one-day international for England since September, 2016. He might miss the BBL final on February 8 if Perth qualifies due to international duty but should otherwise be available.
KEY DATES
Chris Jordan: Has been named in England’s T20 squad against South Africa. The BBL final is February 8 and the first T20 of that series is February 13.
SYDNEY SIXERS
Tom Curran
James Vince
Vince was not in England’s initial squads for the South African one-day and Twenty20 series and should be available for the full tournament. Curran has been named in both the ODI and T20 squads and will likely miss BBL finals to link with his English teammates.
KEY DATES
Tom Curran: England’s first one-day international against South Africa is on February 4. Considering he’ll need time to travel and there are lead-up games on January 31 and February 1, his last game for the Sixers could be January 25 against Melbourne Renegades.
SYDNEY THUNDER
Chris Morris
Alex Hales
Hales missed out on English selection and will be with the Thunder for the full BBL09. Morris will come into contention for the South African one-day and T20 squads to face England and could miss BBL finals.
KEY DATES
Chris Morris: The all-rounder will likely play his last match on January 24 against Hobart if included in South Africa’s one-day squad.
Originally published as SuperCoach BBL international calendar: When do overseas stars depart BBL09?
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