Club players get BBL call amid COVID chaos
Oliver Caffrey |
Six club cricketers have been thrown into the BBL mix due to 10 Melbourne Stars players testing positive for COVID-19.
The Stars’ clash with the Perth Scorchers on Sunday will go ahead at Melbourne’s Junction Oval despite the coronavirus sweeping through their squad.
Ten Stars players and eight staff members remain in isolation after returning positive PCR tests for COVID-19.
Stars captain Glenn Maxwell has managed to avoid catching the virus and will lead his team out against the Scorchers.
But other key players including Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Beau Webster will be missing.
Pakistani quick Haris Rauf will make his first appearance of the BBL season for the Stars after recently arriving in Australia.
BBL unknowns Brody Couch, Tom O’Connell, Justin Avendano, Lachlan Bangs, Xavier Crone and Tom Rogers have all been named in the Stars’ squad of 13.
With coach David Hussey out, the Stars will be guided by Chris Rogers, Jarrad Loughman and Adam Crosthwaite.
Sunday’s later game between Sydney Thunder and the Adelaide Strikers will also go ahead as scheduled despite COVID-19 implications there.
Four Thunder players remain in isolation after returning positive PCR tests.
AAP