World Cup hero ruled out of BBL|11 opener

Marcus Stoinis, one of the heroes of Australia's T20 World Cup triumph last month, has been ruled out of the KFC BBL|11 season opener.

The 32-year-old, who struck 40 not out to get Australia over the line in the World Cup semi-final against Pakistan, won't suit up for the Melbourne Stars against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Sunday night as he continues to recover from a side strain.

Stars captain Glenn Maxwell said Stoinis picked up the injury during the second leg of the IPL in the UAE before re-injuring it in the semi-final of the World Cup.

Stoinis only bowled three overs during the World Cup, all in the second game of the tournament against Sri Lanka.

"He was nursing it a little bit during the World Cup, and I think he re-injured it during that semi-final win where he was so good," Maxwell said during the pre-game broadcast.

"It was probably touch-and-go between him and Wade (to play in the final), they were both a bit sore after that game, but he got through.

"Coming back to Melbourne he had a scan and had a sizeable strain there. He's actually not that far off but just though it was a big risk with the big tournament ahead of us."

Stoinis said during the Channel 7 broadcast the side strain had "been hanging around for three weeks or so" but he was close to playing.

The West Australian said he was hopeful of returning for the next game against the Sydney Thunder at the MCG of Friday night.

"It's disappointing not to be out there ... but it's a long season," he said.

The shock omission of the star allrounder leaves a big hole at the top of the order for Stars as they face off against the back-to-back champions in the first game of BBL|11.

The Stars have called up Peter Nevill, who was only added to the squad last week as a replacement player for the injured Seb Gotch, to open the batting and keep wicket.

English signing Joe Clarke has been relieved of the wicketkeeping duties and will partner Nevill at the top of the order.

Sam Elliott, the son of former Test opener Matthew Elliott, will debut for the Stars alongside Pakistan mystery spinner Syed Faridoun.

Clint Hinchliffe and Tom O'Connell loom as possible X-factor inclusions for the Stars.

They face off against a formidable Sydney Sixers side that is largely unchanged from last season's final.

The Sixers have added England seamer Chris Jordan and allrounder Tom Curran to their side for the season opener, although they have lost West Indian star Carlos Braithwaite for the tournament to injury.

Young NSW allrounder Hayden Kerr will play his first game since BBL|09 and Sean Abbott has also been picked after uncertainty around his availability due to Australia A selection.

Maxwell won the bat flip for the Stars and asked the Sixers to bat first in the season opener.

Sydney Sixers XI: Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Tom Curran, Sean Abbott, Hayden Kerr, Chris Jordan, Steve O'Keefe. X-factor subs: Nick Winter, Ben Manenti

Melbourne Stars XI: Joe Clarke, Peter Nevill (wk), Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Sam Rainbird, Sam Elliott, Brody Couch, Adam Zampa, Syed Faridoun. X-factor subs: Clint Hinchliffe, Tom O'Connell

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