Four Test squad members back to boost BBL clubs

15 Jan 2022 AAP & cricket.com.au

The red-hot Mitch Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis return for the Scorchers, while the Heat welcome back Michael Neser and Mitch Swepson for their clash with the Stars

The Big Bash League will be boosted by the return of Test squad members Michael Neser, Mitch Swepson, Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis who will link up with their respective teams on Sunday.

Neser and Swepson will be rushed back into Brisbane Heat's XI for Sunday night's crucial MCG clash with the Melbourne Stars.

Neser will be playing his first KFC BBL match of the summer, while Swepson has already squeezed in two games.

Marsh and Inglis, both added to an extended Test squad after Travis Head's COVID-19 diagnosis prompted fears of an outbreak, will re-join the Perth Scorchers on Sunday.

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The quartet will travel via charter flight from Hobart to Melbourne.

Marcus Harris (Melbourne Renegades) and Jhye Richardson (Scorchers) will remain on drinks duty in Hobart throughout the remainder of the Ashes series finale.

BBL squads have mostly been based in Melbourne since the start of last week as Cricket Australia tries to finish the season amid rising COVID-19 cases within the eight playing squads.

Scorchers coach Adam Voges said they were also hopeful Richardson would return for BBL finals after the fifth Vodafone Ashes Test.

"My understanding is that they're (Marsh and Inglis) hopefully going to be on a plane tomorrow along with the guys who are in Hobart for the Brisbane Heat," Voges said.

"We'll certainly welcome them all back but once they get on the plane tomorrow, I'll be a lot happier."

Voges said they were hopeful to have Ashton Agar available for their next game against the Heat at Marvel Stadium on Monday after he missed their clash with the Adelaide Strikers on Friday morning due to a shoulder injury.

"It's just a really minor issue with Ash's bowling shoulder. We didn't want to take any risks the other day in Adelaide and we'll monitor him over the next 24 to 48 hours," he said.

"If we feel like he needs a bit more of an extended break to make sure that he's 100 per cent ready to go for finals, then we'll make that call.

"He was desperate to play the other day but we'll be conservative if we need to be with him."

The Heat have included all 12 players previously affected by COVID-19 for their must-win clash against the Stars, which will be Chris Lynn's 100th BBL match.

International batter Fakhar Zaman will remain with the Heat squad ahead of his pending departure home for the Pakistan Super League, but they have lost Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman who departed to prepare for his country’s impending series against the Netherlands.

A win by either side will keep them in the hunt for fifth spot, which is the last finals qualification spot, while it is season over for whoever loses.