Updated availability planner: Player movements + Injury ward

Following the Big Bash fixtures is one thing, following the player movement across the tournament is another.

Like the fixtures though, some small study will make navigating BBL14 easy enough, so don’t be daunted as players drop in and out of teams.

Firstly, a big thanks to Benny from Honeyball who has done plenty of the legwork in bringing together the international calendar which I’ve used to aid this article. 

Secondly, with the fluidity of availability, we cannot recommend enough joining the subscribers WhatsApp chat to stay up to the minute with all of the action.

The BBL season runs from 15 December to January 19 so keep those dates in mind. These timings are now up to date per 7 January – so make sure you’re not going to be caught short with your trades moving forward.

Before we dive into the detail, let’s talk through some of the biggest winners and losers for the emerging availability news.

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Biggest Winners and Losers

In Adelaide, things are looking up for Liam Scott, James Bazley and even Matt Short. The reason being is that Jamie Overton leaves a huge hole in both the middle order batting ranks as well as their bowling. They will need to find more overs and these three could provide them. However, it is likely to only be for the final game of the Supercoach season.

Up in Brisbane, we will get a short visit from Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne but in all, the impact of them will be minimal. It is likely to negatively impact the likes of Nathan McSweeney but his ownership is low anyway.

With a double game week in Round 8, the Hobart Hurricanes are a very relevant side to analyse. And it looks like it’s good news for the likes of Nikhil Chaudhary and Caleb Jewell. With no Shai Hope and Waqar Salamkheil for their double game week, both players will step up (or in, as is the case for Jewell) to important roles.

We could also see more overs for Peter Hatzoglou or Billy Stanlake.

There’s minimal impact at the Melbourne Renegades, albeit as they drop out of contention for finals we could see the departure of Laurie Evans. Mackenzie Harvey also likely comes into the side to replace Jacob Bethell when he goes.

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At the Stars we should hopefully see Big Beau Webster back and – most importantly – bowling without restrictions.

He looks a good buy for the run home, albeit one we need to monitor in case of an early departure for his expected Sri Lanka commitments.

English lads Tom Curran and Ben Duckett both have reasons to leave early too. Curran should stay until the Stars are out of Finals contention, while Duckett is due to leave to take up his English commitments.

Perth Scorchers are going to be near full-strength, with the exception of Josh Inglis who is injured. Mitch Marsh looks set to open the batting for them, and Jhye Richardson is also available for selection. This could negatively impact the role of Cooper Connolly who has regularly bowled, but now must contend with another all-rounder in the side.

The Sydney Sixers look set to farewell Akeal Hosein after Round 6, and James Vince not long afterwards. Steve Smith is the obvious replacement for Vince, however he himself will likely only be available for a few matches again due to Test commitments.

We should see Joel Davies return to the run-on side, and Jack Edwards and Kurtis Patterson make up the Top 3 batters with Josh Philippe to end the season.

At the Sydney Thunder we will see the final game from Lockie Ferguson and Sherfane Rutherford on Wednesday night. We believe two Internationals will be announced to fill out their squad, and the impact on the side remains to be seen.

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Notable Series + Impacted Players

Series: Australia vs India Tests

Dates: 22 November – 7 January

Impacted Players: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne (Brisbane Heat), Steve Smith (Sydney Sixers), Travis Head, Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers), Nathan Lyon (Melbourne Renegades), Scott Boland (Melbourne Stars).

Analysis: News is slowly emerging on availability following a thrilling BGT. Here’s what we know:

• Mitch Marsh is available for the Perth Scorchers from Round 6. He may depart prior to Finals for the Sri Lanka Series.
• Nathan Lyon is unavailble for the Melbourne Renegades for the whole BBL.
• Scott Boland will not be made available for the Melbourne Stars.
• Beau Webster will be available for the Melbourne Stars Round 6 clash against the Sydney Sixers. He may depart prior to Finals for the Sri Lanka Series.
• Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are available on 16 January, which is the Brisbane Heat’s last home game of the season in Round 8.
• Sean Abbott will be available for the Sydney Sixers from Round 6 onwards.
• Sam Konstas is available for the Sydneyt Thunder for their second game of Round 6.

We remain awaiting news on the Adelaide Strikers pair Alex Carey and Travis Head, while Steve Smith is expected to play two games for the Sixers but it’s unclear which two. Josh Inglis is currently injured.

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Series: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, White Ball

Dates: 28 December – 11 January

Impacted Players: Lockie Ferguson (Sydney Thunder), Finn Allen (Perth Scorchers)

Analysis: Both players should not be impacted by this series, with NZ Cricket respecting their wishes to play in the BBL. Lockie Ferguson is available until the end of Round 6, whereas Finn Allen is available all Big Bash.

Series: SA T20

Dates: 9 January – 4 February

Impacted Players: Jacob Bethell (Melbourne Renegades), Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars)

Analysis: This tournament is no longer expected to impact the BBL players. Jacob Bethell has withdrawn from his SA T20 commitments, but instead becomes impacted by the upcoming England white ball series.

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Series: ILT20

Dates: 11 January – 9 February

Impacted Players: Laurie Evans, Tim Seifert, Jake Fraser-McGurk (Melbourne Renegades), Lockie Ferguson, Sam Billings, David Warner, Dan Sams, Sherfane Rutherford (Sydney Thunder), Shai Hope, Matthew Wade, Chris Jordan, Peter Hatzoglou (Hobart Hurricanes), Jamie Overton (Adelaide Strikers), James Vince, Akeal Hosein (Sydney Sixers), Tom Curran (Melbourne Stars), Ashton Agar (Perth Scorchers)

Analysis: Availability will depend on if the players were drafted or signed multi-year deals prior to the draft. As above, departure from the Big Bash should coincide with their type of deal and if their side is in contention for finals. Of relevance are the Thunder and Hurricanes who have the latest double game rounds of the season. What we know so far:

• Shai Hope, Lockie Ferguson, Sherfane Rutherford and Waqar Salamkheil will depart following the Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes round 6 game. We expect Sydney Thunder to announce replacement Internationals soon.
• James Vince and Akeal Hosein will depart the Sydney Sixers after their Round 6 game against the Melbourne Stars.
• Jamie Overton likely departs after Round 7, but remains

Series: India vs England, White Ball

Dates: 22 January – 12 February

Impacted Players: TBC, likely Jacob Bethel (Melbourne Renegades), Jamie Overton (Adelaide Strikers), Ben Duckett (Melbourne Stars), Jafer Chohan (Sydney Sixers)

Analysis: This is only expected to impact the final two rounds of the tournament. With no squad yet announced, stay tuned to our channels for the intel.

• Jamie Overton is expected to depart after the Strikers Round 8 game.
• Jacob Bethell will depart the Melbourne Renegades after Round 7 or 8.
• Ben Duckett will depart the Melbourne Stars afetr round 7 or 8.
• Jafer Chohan is available for the whole BBL season for the Sydney Sixers.

INJURY WARD

STRIKERS

Jording Buckingham: Rib/strain, back bowling and firming to be available for selection for opening round

Matt Short: Toe. Game by game.

HEAT

Paul Walter – soreness

HURRICANES

Nil

RENEGADES

Kane Richardson: soreness. Game by game.

STARS

Tom Curran: Grade 1 calf. Expected return in Round 6 or 7.

SCORCHERS

Ashton Agar: AC Joint. Game by game.

Josh Inglis: Quad. Latter stages of tournament.

SIXERS

Daniel Hughes. Elbow. Season.

THUNDER

Cameron Bancroft. Gone for season.

Daniel Sams: 12 stand down for concussion. Expected back in Round 9.

Jason Sangha: bicep. TBC

Tanveer Sangha: side. TBC.