The Adelaide Strikers have been hit with a massive blow as Chris Lynn was a late out from their clash with the Melbourne Stars, who welcome back Glenn Maxwell, at the Adelaide Oval.
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Lynn is dealing with calf soreness and failed to come up after experiencing the issue in the aftermath of their loss to the Sydney Thunder in Canberra on Tuesday.
The Strikers lost the bat flip and will bat first, with England Test vice-captain Ollie Pope coming in for his BBL debut, while somewhat forgotten man D’Arcy Short takes Lynn’s place.
The Stars unveil number one draft pick Ben Duckett as, like Pope, the dashing left-hander tries to bring Bazball to the BBL, while veteran Peter Siddle returns and Victorian left-arm spinner Doug Warren makes his debut.
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Glenn Maxwell is back, while fireworks can also be expected from Bazball bashers Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in their first appearance of the BBL season as the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars chase a first win of their respective campaigns at the Adelaide Oval.
Maxwell missed the Stars’ opening two losses to the Scorchers in Perth and to defending champions the Brisbane Heat at the MCG, but has recovered from the hamstring strain he sustained during last month’s T20I series against Pakistan.
The additions of Maxwell and Duckett are much-needed for the Stars’ struggling batting line-up whose totals so far of 9/146 and 6/162 have been chased down with ease.
Duckett, who has previously played for the Brisbane Heat, arrived in Australia on Thursday after England’s 2-1 Test series victory in New Zealand – where he made headlines for all the wrong reasons with a mind-boggling dismissal in the last innings of the third Test – and replaces countryman Joe Clarke in the Stars’ squad.
‘Can’t do that!’ – Duckett embarrassed | 00:44
The Strikers are also winless after their stunning capitulation with the ball against the Sydney Thunder in Canberra.
Lloyd Pope’s second last over of the game went for 31 as Daniel Sams took him to the cleaners, but the Strikers are hoping the addition of his namesake will change their fortunes.
Ollie Pope will take the gloves, as he did in the recent Test series, in his BBL debut and he will look to play his reverse ramp more effectively than he did in Hamilton.
The Strikers have lost West Indian Fabian Allen for the rest of the tournament to a hamstring injury in a big blow to their squad.
‘One word springs to mind, why?!’ | 00:54
Match day squads
Adelaide Strikers: Matt Short (c), James Bazley, Cam Boyce, Brendan Doggett, Liam Haskett, Chris Lynn, Jamie Overton, Lloyd Pope, Ollie Pope, Alex Ross, Liam Scott, D’Arcy Short, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald
Ins: Ollie Pope, Brendan Doggett, Liam Haskett. Outs: Fabian Allen (hamstring), Harry Nielsen
Melbourne Stars: Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Ben Duckett, Brody Couch, Tom Curran, Sam Harper, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Jonathan Merlo, Adam Milne, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Beau Webster
Ins: Glenn Maxwell, Ben Duckett, Peter Siddle. Outs: Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, Joe Clarke
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