With thanks to Honeyball
The Sheffield Shield season is officially back with play resuming on Tuesday and with that came a raft of information around injuries, offering insight two months out from BBL|14.
WA v Queensland
WA’s Scorchers all-rounder Aaron Hardie was unavailable after picking up a quad injury at the end of Australia’s ODI tour of England. Hardie’s injury isn’t too bad and he could return in the next Shield game or 2.
Stars left-armer Joel Paris is also out with a calf issue, but his fitness will be monitored ahead of the Round 2 games starting October 20.
Injury-prone Scorchers quick Jhye Richardson has played some white-ball cricket this season but won’t play this Shield game, instead getting overs in a 2nd XI game.
Likewise, Scorchers tearaway Lance Morris has been rested by CA medical staff following an off-season of back problems. Unsigned all-rounder Cam Green will also miss with a back injury.
Queensland has a lengthy list of absentees headlined by Heat opening bowler Xavier Bartlett, who suffered a side strain during the T20I series in England last month.
Heat newcomer Callum Vidler is also unavailable due to a groin issue, while Renegades recruit Gurinder Sandhu is out with a calf problem.
NSW v SA
Sixers fast bowler Sean Abbott was not considered due to hamstring soreness picked up during Australia’s white-ball England tour but is “tracking well for a return later this month”.
Ben Dwarshuis picked up a pectoral injury during that tour, but wasn’t replaced in the Australia squad so it’s unclear on his status. He likely wasn’t considered for a Shield game either.
Sixers mainstay Jackson Bird is also unavailable as he builds towards a return to play following a minor off-season injury.
For SA, Heat fast bowler Spencer Johnson was ruled out of last month’s T20I series in England due to a side strain.
Jake Fraser-McGurk also wasn’t named in the SA Shield squad, following a tough UK tour. He seems set to focus on the white-ball stuff.
Victoria v Tasmania
Renegades all-rounder Will Sutherland was “managed” or “injured” depending on who you ask, but isn’t playing this game. Peter Siddle, Scott Boland and Glenn Maxwell were all not considered, although the latter two may play Round 2.
For Tasmania, there are injury concerns with Hurricanes quicks Iain Carlisle, Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake all unavailable.
Ellis was ruled out of Australia’s UK series due to a left hamstring tendon injury sustained playing for London Spirit in the Hundred in August.
Express paceman Meredith had replaced Ellis in Australia’s squad and played against Scotland, but has since sustained a worrying side issue.
Cricket Tasmania has also confirmed Hurricanes bat Mac Wright will miss BBL|14 after picking up an ACL injury in February.
CT said in a statement: “Mac Wright is tracking well for a return to play post-BBL.”
Elsewhere
Stars no.1 draft pick Ben Duckett suffered a suspected dislocated left thumb in the field playing for England in a Test against Pakistan on Tuesday.
As a result, Duckett didn’t take up his usual role of opening the batting, but an England spokesperson said they’re hopeful it will settle and he will not require a scan, although it’s unclear if he’ll bat on the third day.