HS confirming Rauf will play.
Melbourne Stars are preparing to field what could be the worst XI any Big Bash League club has ever fielded on Sunday with Cricket Australia declaring their game against Perth Scorchers must go ahead despite 18 positive Covid cases in the green team’s camp.
Stars will be without 10 players, as well as eight support staff officials, at Junction Oval after the virus ripped through their squad, sidelining most coaches and players as the coronavirus tsunami crashed into the BBL.
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Haris Rauf is set to play for the Stars on Sunday. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
At 3-3, the Stars suddenly face being forced to play home games against Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades (Monday) with plenty of its match-winners watching on TV from quarantine as Covid-19 patients.
But News Corp understands Pakistan’s World Cup hero Haris Rauf will power up the Stars with the speed machine returning a negative PCR Test on Saturday ahead of his return to the BBL.
Late on Saturday night, the Stars were still locked in phone calls desperately trying to source players so they could field a team on Sunday.
It’s understood that wicket-keeper Brayden Stepien, quick Xavier Crone and batsman Tom Rogers were all expected to win call-ups from Premier Cricket.
They will be allowed to play in the game under strict protocols given they have not completed the integration period required to safely join the BBL bubble
Stars will confirm their squad on Sunday morning but there is certain to be light on for marquee names while coach David Hussey and his team will also be unable to attend the clash.