Round 3 is almost here starting on Boxing Day, with the Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes both on doubles thrusting them into relevance. We’ve taken a look at all the predicted Round 3 sides, listing unavailabilities.

Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars
Friday 26 December, 6:05pm AEDT
SCG, Sydney

Sydney Sixers
Not 100%: Sean Abbott (hamstring)
Unavailable: Sam Curran (ILT20), Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, Todd Murphy (Test squad)

Likely Ins: S.Abbott / Likely Outs: T.Murphy

The Sixers should welcome back Sean Abbott from a hamstring injury, which is likely the only change with spinner Todd Murphy unavailable after being called into the Test squad. The Sixers will likely be content with 2 spinners at the SCG.

Predicted line-up

D.Hughes
Babar Azam
J.Philippe (wk)
M.Henriques (c)
J.Silk
J.Edwards
B.Dwarshuis
J.Davies
S.Abbott
J.Chohan
K.Richardson

Melbourne Stars
Not 100%: Tom Rogers (knee)
Unavailable: Scott Boland (Test squad), Mark Steketee (hamstring)

Likely Ins: J.Merlo / Likely Outs: T.Rogers

Tom Rogers has been ruled out with a knee injury, with no obvious like-for-like replacement available to the side, meaning there will be a batting line-up re-shuffle, which will have positive implications on Sam Harper and Glenn Maxwell, who will be elevated to open and bat 4 respectively.

The options to replace Rogers are adding all-rounder Jono Merlo to the middle order, or spinner Hamish McKenzie or seamer Tom Whitney.

The Stars are 2-0 with their previous structure, having 7 batters and 4 bowlers, utilising their all-rounders for several overs, and we anticipate they’ll stick with that balance.

Predicted line-up

J.Clarke
S.Harper (wk)
C.Kellaway
G.Maxwell
M.Stoinis (c)
H.Cartwright
J.Merlo
T.Curran
M.Swepson
Haris Rauf
P.Siddle

Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes
Friday 26 December, 6:15pm local time/9:15pm AEDT
Optus Stadium, Perth

Perth Scorchers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: David Payne (ILT20), Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson (Test squad), Lance Morris (back), Matt Kelly (injury)

Likely Ins: M.Beardman / Likely Outs: J.Richardson

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson has flown out to join the Test squad for the Boxing Day Test, so he’s out with young gun Mahli Beardman the logical replacement. Perth batted brilliantly last game, but bowled poorly, however it’s hard to see them changing the attack much, with Bryce Jackson a chance to play.

Predicted line-up

F.Allen (wk)
M.Marsh
C.Connolly
A.Hardie
A.Turner (c)
L.Evans
N.Hobson
A.Agar
J.Paris
B.Couch
M.Beardman

Hobart Hurricanes
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Beau Webster, Jake Weatherald (Test squad), Matthew Wade (injury)

Likely Ins: M.Wright, B.Stanlake / Likely Outs: M.Wade, T.Ward

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has been ruled out with injury, with Mac Wright looming as his obvious replacement, likely coming into the top order, with Rehan Ahmed dropping into the middle order. Tim Ward came into the side to balance out the XI but couldn’t capitalise, managing only 8 off 8, so he’s in the gun. The ‘Canes may persist with him after only one game and with Wade out. With Wade out, Ben McDermott should take the gloves.

Billy Stanlake was unlucky to lose his place, but that was all about balance. Keep an eye out for rotation of their bowlers, especially injury-prone Riley Meredith with Stanlake in mind. Stanlake’s style might be suited to the Perth wicket too, so we’re tipping him in for Ward, meaning spinner Rehan Ahmed bowls less.

Predicted line-up

M.Owen
N.Chaudhary
M.Wright
B.McDermott (wk)
T.David
Rehan Ahmed
C.Jordan
Rishad Hossain
N.Ellis (c)
R.Meredith
B.Stanlake

Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers
Saturday 27 December, 6:15pm local time/7:15pm AEDT
Gabba, Brisbane

Brisbane Heat
Not 100%:
Unavailable: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser (Test squad), Callum Vidler (stress fracture), Spencer Johnson (back), Nathan McSweeney (ankle)

Likely Ins: P.Dooley / Likely Outs: L.Haskett

The Heat are coming off a disappointing loss to the Thunder, so changes are plausible. Left-arm quick Liam Haskett seems in danger, with youngsters Tom Balkin or Oli Patterson in the mix, while spinner Paddy Dooley could be considered too. Given how many runs the Gabba gave up last game, spin might be a viable option.

Predicted line-up

C.Munro
J.Wildermuth
M.Renshaw
H.Weibgen
T.Alsop
M.Bryant
J.Peirson (wk)
X.Bartlett (c)
Shaheen Shah Afridi
P.Dooley
M.Kuhnemann

Adelaide Strikers
Doubtful: None
Unavailable: Travis Head, Alex Carey (Test squad)

Likely Ins: L.Wood / Likely Outs: J.Wadia

English left-armer Luke Wood should be available to return following illness, replacing debutant Jerrssis Wadia. The Strikers were handsomely beaten by the Stars, but won’t panic yet with a 1-1 record. Mackenzie Harvey replacing Jason Sangha is the most probable change beyond Wood’s return. Fast bowler Henry Thornton needs a few wickets to shore up his spot too.

Predicted line-up

M.Short (c)
C.Lynn
J.Sangha
L.Scott
A.Ross
J.Overton
H.Nielsen (wk)
Hasan Ali
H.Thornton
L.Wood
L.Pope

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder
Sunday 28 December, 7:15pm AEDT
Manuka Oval, Canberra

Melbourne Stars
Not 100%: Tom Rogers (knee)
Unavailable: Scott Boland (Test squad), Mark Steketee (hamstring)

Selection will be dictated by performance in game 1.

Predicted line-up

J.Clarke
S.Harper (wk)
C.Kellaway
G.Maxwell
M.Stoinis (c)
H.Cartwright
T.Curran
H.McKenzie
M.Swepson
Haris Rauf
P.Siddle

Sydney Thunder
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Lockie Ferguson (ILT20), Ravi Ashwin (knee)

No changes predicted

The Thunder are coming off a good win over the Heat in Canberra, so we anticipate they’ll stick with the same side. Spinner Tanveer Sangha only bowled 2 overs in that game and they could look to another quick like Ryan Hadley or Wes Agar.

Predicted line-up

S.Konstas
M.Gilkes
D.Warner
C.Bancroft
S.Billings (wk)
Shadab Khan
C.Green
D.Sams
N.McAndrew
R.Topley
T.Sangha

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades
Monday 29 December, 7:15pm AEDT
Ninja Stadium, Hobart

Hobart Hurricanes
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Beau Webster, Jake Weatherald (Test squad)

Selection will be dictated by performance in game 1.

Predicted line-up

M.Owen
N.Chaudhary
Rehan Ahmed
B.McDermott
T.David
M.Wade (wk)
C.Jordan
Rishad Hossain
N.Ellis (c)
R.Meredith
B.Stanlake

Melbourne Renegades
Not 100%: Tom Rogers (shoulder)
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett (Test squad), Will Salzmann (hamstring), Callum Stow (back)

Likely Ins: A.Zampa / Likely Outs: M.Spoors

The ‘Gades were dismantled by the Hurricanes last game, with opener Josh Brown probably the most vulnerable with recruit Caleb Jewell yet to play. Monitor the fitness of Tom Rogers too, although this game is likely too soon. If available, Gurinder Sandhu or Fergus O’Neill would make way. Andrew Tye is a chance to push into the side too, for either of those players.

We anticipate they’ll be reluctant to make any changes this early though, but all of those options aren’t far away if performances don’t improve.

Predicted line-up

J.Brown
T.Seifert
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
J.Fraser-McGurk
O.Peake
Hassan Khan
W.Sutherland (c)
F.O’Neill
G.Sandhu
J.Behrendorff
A.Zampa

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