Stoinis, Burns in BBL opener with COVID

Stoinis, Burns in BBL opener with COVID

Melbourne Stars’ Marcus Stoinis and Joe Burns have been named to play within the BBL season opener regardless of testing optimistic to COVID-19 on recreation day in opposition to the Sydney Thunder, who received the toss and can bowl first at Manuka Oval.

The Stars confirmed to AAP that the pair examined optimistic on Tuesday however from this summer season, the BBL is allowing groups and COVID-positive gamers to make the decision on whether or not they really feel comfy taking part in whereas contaminated.

To minimise the unfold of the an infection, the pair travelled to the bottom in a separate car from their teammates, have their very own dressing room and won’t sit with the staff within the dugout.

The last-minute COVID-19 instances will not have felt unfamiliar for Adam Zampa’s males; the Stars have been one of many groups hardest hit by outbreaks final summer season.

Taken by the Stars with the third decide of the inaugural draft, veteran New Zealand worldwide Trent Boult will make his BBL debut in opposition to the Thunder, whereas Englishman Luke Wood can be taking part in within the event for the primary time.

Another notable inclusion within the Stars’ XI is Tom Rogers, who signed with the aspect late final week as a alternative for injured captain Glenn Maxwell.

Fresh from racking up the best particular person rating of the 2022 T20 World Cup (109), Rilee Rossouw makes his Thunder debut having final performed within the event for the Melbourne Renegades two summers in the past.

Paceman Fazalhaq Farooqi, signed after David Willey withdrew from the event, will make his BBL debut for the Thunder because the aspect’s first-ever Afghan participant.

Melbourne Stars: Tom Rogers, Joe Clarke, Joe Burns, Nick Larkin, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa (capt), Trent Boult.

Sydney Thunder: Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes, Rilee Rossouw, Jason Sangha (capt), Daniel Sams, Alex Ross, Ollie Davies, Chris Green, Gurinder Sandhu, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brendan Doggett.