The Perth Scorchers have been hit with another COVID blow, losing Cameron Bancroft for Tuesday afternoon's game with the Melbourne Stars.
The Scorchers, who have only suffered two losses from 11 games, are already locked into the finals with only a handful of matches to play.
Bancroft will join big-hitting New Zealand opening batsman Colin Munro on the sidelines, who is still isolating in Coffs Harbour and missed the Scorchers last game.
According to The West Australian, Bancroft is a close contact of a suspected COVID case, and while he has since returned a negative rapid test, there won't be enough time before this afternoon's match starts to gather the necessary information to enable him to play.
It's not all bad news for the men in orange however, with quick Jason Behrendorff set to return after missing the last clash with the Sixers due to being ruled a contact of a COVID case.
After a week of COVID chaos though, the Melbourne Stars will finally be able to return to full strength.
They welcomed back a host of players for their last clash with the Adelaide Strikers on Monday evening, and will add Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis for today's clash, meaning their first-choice XI will be on-field.
The Scorchers sit at the top of the table, however, this is a must-win game for the Stars at the bottom of the table, despite their four and five record. They have matches in hand on all the other teams in the competition, and are still in with a chance of making the finals should they finish the season strongly.
The BBL has been shifted into a Melbourne-based hub in an effort to have teams in the same area to allow Cricket Australia to make last minute changes to scheduling if it's required.
The Scorchers and Renegades will play in Geelong, with the first ball set for 2:10pm (AEDT) on Tuesday afternoon.
