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Match facts

Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Start time 1500 local (0930 GMT)Remember the time Netherlands chased down 190 in 13.5 overs at the World T20?•ICC

Big Picture

Two years ago, the Netherlands needed to chase 190 runs in 14.2 overs against Ireland to qualify to the main draw of the World T20. Nobody gave them a chance during the ten-minute innings break before they took about an hour or so to prove everyone wrong. They did it in 13.5 overs.Later in the tournament, they went on to beat England by 45 runs. If they are looking for inspiration this time round, they can look back to those two games. And that’s exactly their problem ahead of the clash against the in-form Bangladesh side. That win over England in Chittagong was also their last T20I against a Full Member.Bangladesh will be a formidable opponent simply because of recent form. They are Asia Cup runners-up from three days ago, having beaten Pakistan and Sri Lanka in heady battles before going down to India in the final. Mashrafe Mortaza’s side has become a threat to nearly every team that has come their way since the end of 2014, with the likes of Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain and Taskin Ahmed becoming match-winners.Mashrafe would want the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim to get back into batting form while Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar have shown they are hitting it off the middle of the bat.Netherlands meanwhile have the likes of Stephan Myburgh, the Cooper brothers and a steady bowling attack, led by captain Peter Borren, to thwart Bangladesh who are slightly disadvantaged by arriving later than the Dutch in Dharamsala. Netherlands also have the memory of previously beating Bangladesh in T20I cricket to buoy them.

Form guide

Bangladesh LWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Netherlands LWWWW

Watch out for

Taskin Ahmed bowled superbly in the Asia Cup final, and his late wicket and five-run over in the dying stages gave Bangladesh hope until MS Dhoni clattered Al-Amin Hossain for big sixes. Taskin has shown rare consistency at high pace, something his side has lacked for a long time.Tom Cooper is back in orange as a last-minute addition, and is in the Netherlands squad for the first time since the 2014 World T20 where he finished as second highest run-getter. His experience would surely be crucial, especially against a Bangladesh bowling attack that has started well recently.

Team news

Whether Mustafizur Rahman will recovery from a side strain in time for the game is Bangladesh’s only concern, though they would also like to have a look at the Dharamsala pitch to decide if they want to go with a four-man pace attack.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Sabbir Rahman, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Nasir Hossain, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Al-Amin Hossain, 10 Arafat Sunny/Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Taskin AhmedVivian Kingma and Pieter Seelaar could miss out, the latter to Roelof van der Merwe’s T20 experience. Either of Logan van Beek and Paul van Meekeren could be picked in the XI.Netherlands (probable) 1 Stephan Myburgh, 2 Wesley Barresi (wk), 3 Ben Cooper, 4 Tom Cooper, 5 Roelof van der Merwe, 6 Tim van der Gugten, 7 Ahsan Malik, 8 Logan van Beek/Paul van Meekeren, 10 Peter Borren (capt), 11 Mudassar Bukhari

Pitch and conditions

After successive days of hailstorms in Dharamsala and snowfall in the mountains a little higher up, Tuesday was a quiet and sunny day. Much of the same is expected on Wednesday. There will be dew in the evening. The pitch looks very dry, almost like cement, with a bit of grass in the middle that should not affect things much. Expect good carry and bounce, which should suit both teams’ pace bowlers.

Stats and trivia

• Bangladesh and Netherlands last faced in July 2012 when they drew a T20 series 1-1
• Stephan Myburgh has the highest strike-rate (123.25) against Full Members among the four Dutch batsmen to have scored 100-plus T20I runs

Quotes

“We took the flight [from Dhaka] on Monday morning and reached at 6 pm in the evening. We didn’t have much time to practice and adjust, but I guess we will take much confidence from the Asia Cup.”
“I think Bangladesh are clear favourites, which is not affecting us in terms of pressure. It is a good thing for us.”
Read Aakash Chopra’s analysis of Bangladesh’s strengths and weaknesses

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo desembarcou na noite desta terça-feira em Belo Horizonte, onde enfrenta o Cruzeiro às 21h de quarta, no Mineirão. Fernando Diniz tem quatro novas opções em relação ao clássico contra o Corinthians: Juanfran, Antony, Daniel Alves e Raniel.

Juanfran desfalcou a equipe no fim de semana devido a um desgaste muscular e agora disputa posição com Igor Vinícius. Antony estava no Recife com a Seleção olímpica, foi direto para Belo Horizonte e provavelmente será titular. Daniel Alves vai depender de avaliação física para saber se começa jogando: ele enfrentou uma longa viagem para voltar de Singapura, onde disputou dois amistosos com a Seleção Brasileira, e por isso viajou separado do grupo, já que ganhou horas a mais para descansar.

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Raniel, fora dos últimos três jogos devido a uma indisposição estomacal seguida de amigdalite, deve ficar como opção no banco.

Os desfalques são os atacantes Pablo, Everton, Toró e Rojas, machucados, além do zagueiro Anderson Martins, que foi preservado devido a um incômodo no joelho.

O provável São Paulo tem Tiago Volpi, Igor Vinícius (Juanfran), Bruno Alves, Arboleda e Reinaldo; Luan, Liziero (Daniel Alves) e Hernanes; Antony, Tchê Tchê e Pato.

Relacionados
Goleiros: Tiago Volpi e Jean
Laterais: Juanfran, Igor Vinícius, Reinaldo e Léo
Zagueiros: Arboleda, Bruno Alves e Walce
Volantes: Luan, Tchê Tchê, Liziero e Hudson
Meias: Hernanes, Daniel Alves, Gabriel Sara e Igor Gomes
Atacantes: Antony, Pato, Raniel, Calazans, Helinho e Vitor Bueno

يخوض منتخب السعودية اليوم الأحد أول تدريباته التحضيرية في مقر معسكرهم في محافظة “الأحساء” استعدادًا لخوض الجولتين الأولى والثانية من الدور الثاني من التصفيات الآسيوية لكأس العالم 2026 وكأس آسيا 2027.

وسيبدأ منتخب السعودية حصة تدريبية على “الملعب الرديف بنادي الفتح” عند الساعة 4:00 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، الـ5:00 مساء بتوقيت السعودية وتقرر أن تكون الحصة التدريبية مغلقة أمام وسائل الاعلام.

وكان الإيطالي روبيرتو مانشيني مدرب منتخب السعودية كشف عن قائمة الأخضر لمباراتي باكستان والأردن خلال معسكر شهر نوفمبر، في الجولتين الأولى والثانية من الدور الثاني من التصفيات الآسيوية لكأس العالم 2026 وكأس آسيا 2027.

ويلعب المنتخب السعودي في السادس عشر من نوفمبر الجاري أمام باكستان وذلك على ملعب نادي الفتح بالأحساء، فيما سيحل الأخضر ضيفًا على منتخب الأردن في الحادي والعشرين من شهر نوفمبر وذلك على ملعب عمّان الدولي.

إقرأ أيضًىا..السعودية تحسم موقف مانشيني من الرحيل بعد النتائج السيئة

وضمت القائمة التي أعلنها روبيرتو مانشيني 28 لاعبًا حيث يتواجد الأخضر في المجموعة السابعة في الدور الثاني من التصفيات الآسيوية لكأس العالم 2026 وكأس آسيا 2027، بجوار منتخبات الأردن، طاجيكستان، باكستان.

وخاض مانشيني صاحب لقب كأس أمم أوروبا (يورو 2020) مع منتخب إيطاليا 4 مباريات مع السعودية خسر أمام مالي، كوستاريكا وكوريا الجنوبية وتعادل أمام نيجيريا. قائمة منتخب السعودية لمباراتي باكستان والأردن

حراسة المرمى: محمد العويس، نواف العقيدي، راغد نجار، حامد يوسف.

خط الدفاع: ياسر الشهراني، وليد الأحمد، عون السلولي، علي البليهي، عبدالإله العمري، حسان التمبكتي، سعود عبدالحميد، معاذ فقيهي، حسن كادش، فواز اليامي.

خط الوسط: مختار علي، عبدالإله المالكي، علي هزازي، عيد المولد، ناصر الدوسري، فيصل الغامدي، عباس الحسن.

خط الهجوم: سالم الدوسري، عبدالرحمن غريب، أيمن يحيى، محمد مران، عبدالله رديف، طلال حاجي، صالح الشهري.

It was Phillip Hughes’ sister Megan who spoke these words, but there was nary a soul in Macksville on Wednesday afternoon who did not feel the same way. From Trinidad to Sydney, from cricket to politics, from close family to far-flung friends, they had assembled for Hughes. Every last one wished they had come to see him bat.The sense of loss was palpable, but so too was one of gratitude. Hughes had shown many of them great lessons in life. In his death playing the game, the example of his life will endure, and in the service that farewelled him, there were plenty to call upon.Neither Macksville nor cricket has seen an event quite like it. Helicopters hovered overhead, a Test match-sized media contingent floated outside the Macksville High assembly hall, and buses conveyed a broad list of dignitaries and figureheads in addition to those who knew Hughes well.For a time it felt as if the rolling cavalcade of notables, including Brian Lara, Virat Kohli, Shane Warne and Australia’s prime minister Tony Abbott, would become too outsized for a gathering designed to celebrate Hughes’ rich life, not ogle over the freakish circumstances of his death. Apart from the 1000 mourners in the hall, many scores more sat on the school’s two ovals to watch on big screens.But the deeply moving words of his family and his friends ensured that Hughes was farewelled in an entirely fitting manner, belying the scale of the event. Personal, teary and insightful, they told the world still more about how Hughes had inspired, well before and well beyond the daring deeds he performed with the bat for his hometown, club, state and country in a career too short.From the eulogy delivered by his cousin Nino Ramunno, to personal letters by his siblings Megan and Jason and a tribute from his friend and cattle-business partner Corey Ireland, the full picture of Hughes emerged. Michael Clarke’s tribute was mournful and emotional but also hopeful, that Hughes would be not only remembered but remain present in the thoughts, words and actions of all cricketers.Ramunno’s recollections said much about Hughes’ cheekiness, his preference for “street smart” over “book smart”, and his happenstance introduction to cricket via Jason, who challenged him to play as a fill-in one day or risk the quintessential sibling jibe of “wuss”. Twenty-five runs on debut were not bad for a tailender, and there would soon be plenty more, even as Ramunno sat on his grade debut through the sorts of questions often asked of Hughes, like “geez he’s small” and “has he got the power to hit the ball off the square”.’Cricket’s heart has been pierced by pain but it will never stop beating’•Getty Images

But Hughes’ progress could be measured by the words of Jason, who spoke of his younger brother in ways commonly reserved for an older one. Having given up on ever getting to bat first, Jason bowled to Phillip for hours, covered for him when he once ran away from home for three days to the New South Wales central coast, and was eventually inspired to follow when the younger brother trekked more permanently to Sydney for cricket. They enjoyed a final grade stand together for Western Suburbs – a partnership of 210 against Mosman that drove Jason to follow up by plucking 5 for 19.Ireland showed that there was far more to Hughes’ life than cricket. Not a follower of the game, he admitted to being clueless when a crowd surrounded the then Test opener and his father Greg when they perused Ireland’s collection of cattle at a Royal Easter Show. This comic beginning grew into a friendship that offered one of the more poignant insights of the day. Hughes was forever asking Ireland and his wife about how they met, when they married and how much later they had children. There was more than cricket and cattle in his future.Clarke’s words were always likely to be tinged with sobs, and his lasting sense of disbelief was writ large across an affecting address. Resting a hand on his coffin as he went up to speak, among Clarke’s first words were to express that widely held emotion: “I don’t know about you but I keep looking for him; I know it’s crazy, but I expect any minute to take a call from him or to see him around the corner.”When Clarke ventured out to the SCG on Thursday night following Hughes’ death, to the spot where he fell against New South Wales last Tuesday, he “swore” his friend was with him. Taking a leaf from Australian indigenous lore, Clarke said Hughes spirit had touched the turf, “and it will forever be sacred ground for me”. He suggested that Hughes had embodied the spirit of the game, and concluded with a message remembered from countless innings together with Hughes, when simple messages and reminders are so often best.”We must dig in, and get through to tea. And we must play on. Rest in peace my little brother, I’ll see you out in the middle.”A video produced by Cricket Australia’s Adam Goldfinch then brought Hughes very much to life, through visions of him training or offering the sort of infectious enthusiasm he was known for. He could joke at himself, and he always intended to return to Macksville in the end. At this, Mitchell Johnson was far from the only one to wipe away tears.With a few words from Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland, who declared “cricket’s heart has been pierced by pain but it will never stop beating”, the funeral drew to a close, Hughes taken from the room on the shoulders of men including his father Greg and his captain Clarke. The procession that followed on through the heart of Macksville made a stirring sight. No witness will forget it, nor will they forget Hughes.

The absence of two high-profile Twenty20 cricketers hamstrung Sri Lanka’s Southern Express in Champions League T20, their manager has said.Southern Express lost all three matches of the qualifying group – to Northern Districts (from New Zealand), Mumbai Indians and Lahore Lions (Pakistan) – to make an early exit from the tournament.”[Tillakaratne] Dilshan’s absence had a psychological effect on the team. Everyone was upbeat with Dilshan’s inclusion in the team,” Southern Express manager Shane Fernando said. “We were hoping that he and Kusal Perera would provide the ideal start to our batting.”The team would have benefited not only from Dilshan’s batting but also from his bowling and fielding.”Fernando said that Dilshan who represented English county Surrey did not participate at team practice sessions due to a calf-muscle injury. “The national team physio said that he was fit to play but ruled him out of practice.” Eventually Dilshan pulled out of the tournament due to a family commitment.”We were also without another world-class T20 performer Lasith Malinga who opted to play for Mumbai Indians,” said Fernando. “Malinga was instrumental in Southern Express qualifying to play in the Champions League when we emerged winners of the SLC Super Fours T20.”Fernando said apart from these two players the team was a balanced unit but lacked the experience of playing T20 cricket, especially under lights.”We had the talent but most of the younger players had little exposure to playing T20 cricket and playing under lights,” Fernando said. “The occasion became a little too big for them.”Although our team preparations were good and we went with a good chance of qualifying these little factors proved decisive in our final result.”

Evin Lewis and Kevin O’Brien flayed a hapless St Lucia Zouks bowling unit as the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel recorded a nine-wicket win at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jul-2014

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Evin Lewis and Kevin O’Brien flayed a hapless St Lucia Zouks bowling unit as the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel recorded a nine-wicket win at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. The pair erased the CPL first-wicket partnership record set 24 hours earlier by Martin Guptill and Lendl Simmons of the Guyana Amazon Warriors by adding 129 at the start of the Red Steel chase.The Red Steel reached the target of 137 with 32 balls to spare, just one ball short of equaling the fastest chase of CPL 2014 made by the Jamaica Tallawahs who were set 97 to win against the Antigua Hawksbills on July 17. Lewis and O’Brien came within eight runs of notching the first 10-wicket win in CPL history before Lewis fell for 77 in the 14th over to a catch in the deep off Shane Shillingford.O’Brien brought up his own half-century two balls later and should have been dismissed with three needed to win when he was stumped giving Garey Mathurin the charge only to be called back to the crease when replays revealed the left-arm spinner had overstepped and a no ball was called. O’Brien sealed the match with a two off the free hit that followed and finished unbeaten on 55 off 44 balls.The brief chase was set up by a disciplined bowling and fielding display in response to the Zouks decision to bat first upon winning the toss. Legspinner Samuel Badree set the tone by removing both openers, Johnson Charles stumped for 15 after being beaten in flight coming down the track and Andre Fletcher for 4 swinging across the line to a full delivery to mark Badree’s 100th wicket in Twenty20 matches. He finished with a typically tidy 2 for 13 in four overs including a maiden.The Zouks struggled to piece together a decent partnership with their best stand of the day coming courtesy of Tonito Willett and Darren Sammy, who added 27 runs for the fifth wicket. Sammy’s efforts to provide a late surge were stunted by three runouts in the final overs. He still motored ahead to finish with an innings-high 46 not out off 35 balls including four sixes but the final total of 136 for 9 was never going to be enough against a stacked Red Steel batting lineup on a pitch that held few demons.The Red Steel reclaimed sole possession of first place with the win, moving two points clear of the Amazon Warriors with 10 points on five wins. Meanwhile, the Zouks remain entrenched in the winless column and will be aiming to turn their fortunes around on July 31 when the CPL caravan arrives at Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia. The Zouks play their first home game of the season that evening against the Barbados Tridents.

كشف الجهاز الفني لمنتخب تونس الأول لكرة القدم، بقيادة جلال القادري، النقاب عن قائمة لاعبيه المشاركة في معسكر نسور قرطاج المقبل.

ومن المقرر أن يخوض منتخب تونس معسكرًا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي المقبلة، يتخلله مباراة ودية أمام مصر، وأخرى رسمية ضد بوتسوانا.

وضمت القائمة الظهير الأيسر المحترف ضمن صفوف الأهلي علي معلول، فيما غاب إلياس الجلاسي لاعب المصري بعد إخطار الاتحاد التونسي النادي البورسعيدي بإمكانية انضمام اللاعب.

طالع | قائمة منتخب مصر النهائية لمباراتي إثيوبيا وتونس.. ضم رباعي الأهلي و7 محترفين

ومن المقرر أن يواجه منتخب تونس نظيره البوتسواني في السابع من سبتمبر، بينما يلتقي أمام مصر في الثاني عشر من الشهر ذاته. قائمة تونس لمباراة مصر

حراسة المرمى: أيمن دحمان – بشير بن سعيد – معز حسن.

خط الدفاع: علاء غرام – علي العابدي – علي معلول – منتصر الطالبي – نادر الغندري – أسامة الحدادي – وجدي كشريدة – ياسين مرياح – يان فاليري.

خط الوسط: إلياس السخيري – حنبعل مجبري – حمزة رفيعة – عيسى العيدوني – محمد علي بن رمضان – سامي شوشان.

خط الهجوم: علي يوسف – أنس الحاج محمد – إلياس العاشوري – إلياس سعد – هيثم الجويني – عمر لعيوني – سيف الله لطيف – يوسف المساكني.

تعرض الدولي البرازيلي فيليب كوتينيو لإصابة قوية في مباراة فريقه أستون فيلا أمام إيفرتون الجارية حاليًا ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

المباراة المقامة على ملعب فيلا بارك، شهدت مشاركة كوتينيو بديلًا والنتيجة 3/0 لأستون فيلا، عندما دخل في الدقيقة 64 بدلًا من دوجلاس لويس صاحب الهدف الثاني.

طالع أيضًا | سكاي: عروض قطرية للتعاقد مع كوتينيو.. وميزة لـ برشلونة

كوتينيو في الدقيقة 86 غادر المباراة بسبب إصابة قوية تعرض لها في وسط الملعب بعد تدخل من لاعب إيفرتون جيمس جارنر، ليسقط النجم البرازيلي ويصرخ من شدة الآلم.

تدخل الفريق الطبي، ولكن لم يتمكن من إسعاف اللاعب في الملعب، ليغادر كوتينيو المباراة بعد 22 دقيقة من دخوله، متكئًا على الطبيب ومساعده، ولا يستطيع وضع قدمه على الأرض.

يبقى أن ننتظر تصريحات المدرب أوناي إيمري ونادي أستون فيلا لمعرفة تشخيص إصابة اللاعب البرازيلي صاحب الـ31 عامًا. فيديو إصابة كوتينيو في مباراة أستون فيلا وإيفرتون

Anil Kumble, the former India captain, has called on the BCCI to use its position as the dominant power in world cricket to “demonstrate leadership with responsibility” and develop a more consensual approach in its international relations. In a rare, though carefully couched, critique of the Indian board’s often overbearing tactics, he asked its administrators to “wear power lightly” and used history to illustrate how powerful empires crumble.Kumble was delivering the MAK Pataudi Memorial Lecture – hosted by the BCCI – in Mumbai on Wednesday evening to a select gathering of guests that included the Indian and West Indies teams, BCCI president N Srinivasan and his WICB counterpart Dave Cameron along with former India captains Nari Contractor, Bishan Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar and Mohammad Azharuddin.In the 15-odd years since Jagmohan Dalmiya took over as the ICC president, India has emerged as a dominant player in board politics solely because of the income it has generated for cricket’s governing body. Recently, under Srinivasan, the feeling among other nations is that India has used its clout to enforce its line across world cricket.Kumble’s speech acknowledged those criticisms. “Initially, it seemed to be all about making money and telling everybody who was boss. As often happens, those who were out of power tended to imitate the actions of those who were in power earlier, and that did not serve the game well.”Things have changed, he said, and India needed to recognize and adapt to those changes. “There has been a shift in the balance of power. It is extremely important that we wear our power lightly and make contributions that are worthy of emulation, because, cricket has to be above every other consideration… It is ironic that the rest of the cricketing world has accepted India’s lead role rather more easily and with greater pragmatism than India have.”Notwithstanding the position of pre-eminence we enjoy both on and off the field, it is extremely important for us to demonstrate leadership with responsibility,” he said. “Traditionally, our leadership style has relied less on belligerence and more on driving consensus. It is important that the development of cricket and its popularity among its member nations are protected and nurtured.”In private, Indian administrators have expressed the opinion that since countries like England and Australia had wielded power in an autocratic fashion in the past, now it was their turn have a taste of their own medicine. However, Kumble said administrators need to keep in mind that cricket was bigger than selfish interests.”Power can be a heady thing, but with power comes responsibility. We must prepare to adapt to the change, embrace it and respond to it in the manner that serves the game best,” Kumble said.”History has shown that it is in their periods of overwhelming superiority that nations sow the seeds of their fall from grace. It was true of the Roman Empire; it was true of the British Empire. The analogy can be extended to cricket. As the most significant and influential cricketing country, we must guard against repeating historical mistakes.”Kumble, currently the head of the ICC’s cricket committee, also asked the administrators to think laterally to make the three formats of the game viable and attractive. His own contribution was to propose three distinct seasons for each of Test, ODI and Twenty20 cricket – culminating in a calendar just like that in tennis.”Three different seasons for the game to accommodate the three different formats is easily conceivable. Specific seasons for specific formats will facilitate better planning for a longer term cricket calendar, provide clarity for spectators and allow players to prepare for the different physical and mental demands of each format.”A good analogy would be the tennis season which moves in a logical manner from surface to surface: hard-court, clay, grass, indoors.”Kumble, who retired in 2008, currently enjoys a reputation as a mentor – a role he has been formally entrusted with by Mumbai Indians – and he dwelt at length on the gaps in player development in India. “Cricketers are trained only to provide expression to their talent. Suddenly thrust into the limelight, they find themselves lacking in the skills to handle fame and fortune. We need both education and mentoring here.”Pointing out how corporate houses train new recruits especially for overseas assignments, he said every aspiring cricketer should be given the training to meet the demands that go with being a professional. “Cricketers today have a lifestyle, but do they have a life?”Kumble also spoke about the “insecurities and handicaps” players are faced with, a part of the Indian cricket story that rarely finds mention. “In recent years, many top international players have gone through phases of depression. Often the problem is either detected late or simply hidden away in embarrassment. The few players who have spoken about their own problems have provided a glimpse into a world few of us understand and even fewer acknowledge exists. Yet there are responses to stress that could be addressed through proper counseling.”Victims of poor selection, improper injury management, even a poor run of scores need to have the opportunity to speak to those trained in handling such issues, which get blown up since top sportsmen tend to live in a fish-bowl atmosphere.”

Brisbane Heat will be without several key players, either due to injury or IPL franchise commitments

Brydon Coverdale19-Sep-2013Overview
Like Perth Scorchers, Australia’s BBL champions Brisbane Heat will enter this tournament without their leading run scorer from last summer. Luke Pomersbach is unavailable for the Champions League for family reasons and the squad will also have to do without Shane Watson, who will be playing for Rajasthan Royals; Mitchell Johnson, who is with Mumbai Indians; Thisara Perera, who is with Sunrisers Hyderabad; and the injured Ryan Harris. It leaves them short on big names, although any attack boasting Kemar Roach must still be respected, while Alister McDermott, Ben Cutting and Nathan Hauritz will back him up with a combination of youthful talent and experience. The captain, James Hopes, has plenty of international experience on which to draw as well.Watson’s presence would really have been a bonus, for he played only one game in the BBL last summer, but the absence of Pomersbach (397 runs at 44.11) is a major blow to the batting. Joe Burns is a serious young talent but one more suited to the longer formats, while Chris Lynn perhaps has the power to have an impact in this tournament and could use it as a chance to kickstart his season. Much will be asked of Daniel Christian, the allrounder, who has played Twenty20 cricket for three IPL franchises, two counties and three Australian domestic teams, as well as 11 times for his country.Key player
That Daniel Christian has the ability to be a force in this tournament, with both bat and ball, is not in question. But after a difficult 2012-13 summer, which led him to move from South Australia to Victoria during the off season, it will be interesting to see whether he enters this series with a freer approach and a clearer mind. A clean hitter and wicket-taking seamer – though one who can be expensive in T20 cricket – Christian was considered good enough to be part of Australia’s World T20 campaign last year, but has not played international cricket since.Surprise package
One way or another, allrounder Chris Sabburg will be a surprise package in this tournament if he plays. Why? Because he is yet to bat or bowl for Brisbane Heat, despite playing for them three times last summer. He did, however, take five catches, and has an impressive pedigree – he is the cousin of former Australia fast bowler Andy Bichel and the nephew of the former Queensland fast bowler Dirk Tazelaar. A worker at Brisbane’s fruit and vegetable markets, Sabburg bowls offspin and bats left-handed.Weaknesses
Given the subcontinental pitches on which this tournament will be played, the Heat’s spin depth could be a concern. Hauritz is the only specialist spinner in the squad, and Sabburg is the only man who could offer him any significant backup, although Lynn’s part-time left-armers have been used on occasion. It also appears doubtful whether the squad boasts enough big-hitting batsmen, the same issue that might affect their compatriots the Perth Scorchers.