Melbourne Stars name massively depleted squad for clash with Perth Scorchers
Multiple unknowns are in line for Big Bash debuts this afternoon, with the Melbourne Stars throwing together a team despite COVID-19 wreaking havoc in their camp.
The Stars have managed to name a 13-man squad for today's match against the high-flying Perth Scorchers - featuring several unknown players.
Straight out of a sports movie, the plucky underdogs will go into today's match with more than half their squad wiped out due to COVID-19 complications.
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Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sam Elliott, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Peter Nevill, Sam Rainbird, Andre Russell, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster and Adam Zampa are all unavailable.
The club confirmed late last night 10 players and eight support staff had tested positive to the virus.
Melbourne Stars captain Glenn Maxwell. Getty
"Our thoughts are with our players who have tested positive today and we wish them a speedy recovery," the team's general manager, Blair Crouch, said on Saturday night.
"Thanks to the medical teams at Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia for their ongoing support under difficult circumstances."
The slapped-together group of players will consist of several people with zero or almost no Big Bash experience.
If they're to have any hope against the Scorchers, it will all be on the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright with the bat.
The Stars require 181 runs from their innings to steal victory from the Scorchers.
Full squad: Glenn Maxwell (c), Qais Ahmad, Justin Avendano, Lachlan Bangs, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Xavier Crone, Tom O'Connell, Haris Rauf, Tom Rogers, Patrick Rowe, Charlie Wakim.
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