Stars duo ruled out of Derby with COVID

The COVID-19 outbreak at the Melbourne Stars continues to grow with two more players forced into isolation after positive test results.

After opening the batting together in yesterday's 50-run defeat against the Perth Scorchers, Joe Clarke and Tom Rogers will both miss tonight's Melbourne derby against the Renegades after returning positive PCR and rapid antigen tests respectively.

The 22-year-old Rogers was plucked out of Victorian club cricket to make his Big Bash debut against the Scorchers at Junction Oval yesterday, whacking 32 from 25 balls in a 78-run first-wicket stand with Clarke.

It means 12 Stars players are now in isolation having contracted the virus.

Victoria batter Travis Dean and Pakistan fast bowler Ahmad Daniyal have been called into the 13-player squad for the MCG clash (7:15pm AEDT).

Stars squad: Glenn Maxwell (c), Qais Ahmad (AFG), Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Ahmad Daniyal (PAK), Tom O'Connell, Haris Rauf (PAK), Justin Avendano, Lachlan Bangs, Xavier Crone, Travis Dean, Patrick Rowe, Charlie Wakim

World Cup winners Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa, as well as Nathan Coulter-Nile, Joe Burns, Beau Webster, Sam Elliott, Clinton Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Sam Rainbird, Liam Hatcher and Billy Stanlake (the latter two due to previously-held injuries) are among the Stars players currrenly available as they sit sixth on the table with a 3-4 record.

The Renegades, meanwhile, will be close to full strength with Nic Maddinson - a standby player for Australia's Ashes squad - to lead a side that welcomes back star batter Shaun Marsh from injury.

James Pattinson's status remains in doubt as he awaits the result of a PCR test before his availability is confirmed.

Renegades squad: Nic Maddinson (c), Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Zahir Khan (AFG), Joshua Lalor, Shaun Marsh, Jono Merlo, Mohammad Nabi, James Pattinson, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, James Seymour, Will Sutherland, Reece Topley