Stand-in Australia Twenty20 keeper Ben Dunk will be handed the gloves for the Hobart Hurricanes' Big Bash match against the low-standing Melbourne Renegades.
It's just one in a raft of changes planned for both sides ahead of Wednesday night's clash at Bellerive Oval when the visitors will try to bounce back after finding just one win from four rounds in the tournament.
"He kept for Australia in the Twenty20 recently, so he's doing all the right things in selectors' eyes so it's time we start to reward him as well," Hurricanes coach Damien Wright said of Dunk's promotion.
Queensland-born Dunk, who topped the run-scoring chart in last season's Big Bash to be named player of the tournament, was called up for Australia's three-match series against South Africa in November while regular gloveman Brad Haddin was on Test duty in the UAE.
"Tim Paine has been wonderful for us but Dunky's chance is going to come now in the next two games," Wright told reporters.
Former Test paceman Ben Hilfenhaus returns to the Hurricanes squad after his omission last round.
While new recruit Michael Hill is expected to make his debut for the boys in purple, against his former Renegades teammates.
British signing Tim Bresnan replaces flamboyant West Indies recruit Darren Sammy who has returned home to join his national squad.
"I don't think I can match him for charisma but hopefully I can bring some cricketing skills to the middle," Bresnan said.
The Renegades will introduce two internationals of their own after the arrival of Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan and England's Ben Stokes.
The two allrounders are tasked with bringing depth to the side following the return to the West Indies squad of Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell.
Fast bowler Peter Siddle, who was not selected for Australia's fourth Test against India, will be a valuable addition for the Renegades.
Play starts at 7.10pm (AEDT).
Hurricanes squad: George Bailey (capt), Tim Paine, Travis Birt, Cameron Boyce, Tim Bresnan, Xavier Doherty, Ben Dunk, Evan Gulbis, Alex Hales, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hill, Jake Reed, Jon Wells.
Renegades squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Matthew Wade, Fawad Ahmed, Callum Ferguson, Ben Rohrer, Shakib Al Hasan, Ben Stokes, Matt Short, Tom Cooper, Nathan Rimmington, Nick Winter, Tom Beaton, Peter Siddle.
Share
