SuperCoach late mail Round 4: Latest team rumours, whispers from Big Bash League
Melbourne Stars say pace revelation Haris Rauf could be picked at any time after being squeezed out of their side for Dale Steyn. Could the Pakistani quick be back for their Round 5 SuperCoach double? LATE MAIL.
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Pace revelation Haris Rauf remains in contention for Melbourne Stars selection despite being squeezed out of the side by Dale Steyn’s return from injury.
Stars coach David Hussey said Rauf, who was with the Stars in Launceston for their clash with Hobart Hurricanes, only needed to be named in their matchday squad to be selected.
Rauf has been the SuperCoach BBL rookie of the season, skyrocketing from $42,000 to $104,600 after scores of 80 and 156 in his two BBL matches.
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Hussey revealed Rauf, who still features in 12,750 SuperCoach teams, was training with Hobart when he came onto their radar.
“Dale Steyn had a side injury so we have been scouring the earth about getting another fast bowler,” Hussey told Fox Cricket.
“He was trialling down here at the Hobart Hurricanes and they were procrastinating a bit.
“So we rang the Hobart Hurricanes and said, ‘we’re thinking about signing him, if you guys don’t want him’.
“They didn’t want to take him on.”
Asked about Rauf’s availability, Hussey added: “He can play every game. We have just got to name him in the squad of 13 the day before by two o’clock.
“He’s a very handy addition. Knows where we bowls, bowls a good yorker and executes his skill under pressure. Great find.”
BBL clubs are able to sign six internationals, but can only play two in each match.
The Stars have Steyn, Rauf and Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane in their squad, with English T20 seamer Pat Brown due to join when the South African quick leaves after six matches.
Melbourne Stars have a SuperCoach BBL double in Round 5, taking on Sydney Thunder on January 2 and Melbourne Renegades on January 4.
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IS BIG BILLY’S STRIKERS SPOT UNDER THREAT?
Billy Stanlake owners, beware.
Adelaide has recalled paceman Harry Conway to its squad for Tuesday’s New Year’s Eve clash with Sydney Thunder, suggesting a change could be made in its pace ranks.
Conway, who took 2-32 on Strikers debut against Perth Scorchers, has been included at the expense of spinner Liam O’Connor.
The NSW quick’s presence in the squad will have Stanlake on notice, having gone wicketless in the past three games.
The Australian T20 paceman has figures of 0-38, 0-32 and 0-31 in his last three matches and has taken 1-109 in BBL09.
Conway was squeezed out of the Adelaide team after Peter Siddle’s return and has featured in other 13-man squads without playing.
Squad is IN 📩 for our New Year's Eve blockbuster #BlueEnergy #BBL09
— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) December 30, 2019
Squad is IN for tomorrow night's New Year's Eve blockbuster at Adelaide Oval 🎆 #ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/to5CuyNVNZ
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) December 30, 2019
INJURY SIDELINES ABBOTT FOR 3-4 WEEKS
Leading BBL wicket-taker Sean Abbott will miss the one-day tour of India after suffering a side strain in Sydney Sixers’ super over triumph against Sydney Thunder.
Abbott, who has averaged 91.4 SuperCoach points in BBL09, is expected to miss 3-4 weeks.
The “moderate” side strain will almost certainly rule Abbott out of the Sixers’ Round 10 double, although he could return in time for BBL finals.
Abbott’s injury will have flow-on effects for the BBL with D’Arcy Short called up for Australia’s trip to India and the Sixers expected to sign an injury replacement.
Fox Cricket reported James Vince was a chance to play against Melbourne Renegades on January 2 after being struck on the elbow during a nets session.
Spinner Stephen O’Keefe could also return from a calf issue.
Some #BBL09 injury news...
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) December 29, 2019
- James Vince cleared of structural damage to left elbow.
- Steve O'Keefe (calf) a chance to return on Jan 2.
- Golden Cap Sean Abbott has a side strain. Will know severity in next day or two.
More details soon on @FoxCricket
BANTON TO RETURN FROM MYSTERY ILLNESS
Englishman Tom Banton will return for Brisbane Heat on New Year’s Day against Perth Scorchers after being hospitalised with a mystery illness.
Banton revealed he felt sick while fielding during the Heat’s Round 1 clash with Melbourne Stars before blasting 64 from 36 balls.
The Heat’s full squad is likely to be released on Tuesday.
“I was pretty sick. I got it when actually I was fielding at the Metricon (Stadium). I started to feel not great. When I went to bat I just felt horrible,” Banton told Channel 7.
“I got put on a drip … I was on that for a few hours sitting on the bed struggling.”
RENEGADES BOWLING KEEPS COACHES GUESSING
Reigning champion Melbourne Renegades are winless after four games and stuck on the bottom of the BBL09 ladder.
But it’s their bowling depth which is giving SuperCoaches headaches.
Captain Aaron Finch called on seven bowlers against the Strikers on Sunday, with only Kane Richardson (4-33) and Cameron Boyce (2-18) bowling their full complement of overs.
The Renegades also used six bowlers against Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder.
SuperCoaches would love greater certainty before jumping on players such as Will Sutherland (0-20 from three overs) for the Renegades’ Round 5 double game week.
STORMS FORECAST FOR STARS-HOBART GAME
SuperCoaches will be on weather watch on Monday with storms predicted in Launceston.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a ‘likely’ storm in the late afternoon and evening which could affect Hobart Hurricanes’ clash with Melbourne Stars at UTAS Stadium.
The BOM has forecast a 70 per cent chance of rain and possible rainfall of 1-4mm.
In the event of a washout mid-match, SuperCoach BBL scores do not change.
For example, if the Stars bat first tonight and Glenn Maxwell scores 50 before it rains, his SuperCoach BBL total would still stand.
Fingers crossed for those who have loaded up on Stars before they share the double game week with the Renegades in Round 5.
Hobart’s D’Arcy Short is one of the most-popular players, while rookie quick Nathan Ellis features in more than 10,000 teams after his Round 3 score of 113.
Play is due to start at 7.10pm.
The Stars have named an unchanged squad from their loss to Adelaide Strikers on the Gold Coast and remain coy on when all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will bowl.
The Hurricanes have included Victorian quick Scott Boland at the expense of Tom Rogers.
We’ve named an unchanged squad for our clash with the @HurricanesBBL tomorrow night in Launceston.
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) December 29, 2019
READ 👉🼠https://t.co/WH1pSSq769#TeamGreen 💚 pic.twitter.com/o7vWTEX5ca
The Hobart Hurricanes welcome Scott Boland into the squad as they prepare for their rematch against the @StarsBBL ðŸ
— Hobart Hurricanes (@HurricanesBBL) December 28, 2019
See here: https://t.co/UOWsbI63wN#TasmaniasTeam #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/kvJF8F4Bty
Originally published as SuperCoach late mail Round 4: Latest team rumours, whispers from Big Bash League
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