Tactics and not sledging will be on the Perth Scorchers' minds when they attempt to dislodge former teammate Craig Simmons in Monday's Twenty20 clash at the WACA Ground.
Scorchers coach Justin Langer was initially left shocked and disappointed when Simmons left the team at the end of last summer in order to link with the Adelaide Strikers on a lucrative three-year deal.
Simmons cracked two centuries for the Scorchers last summer, and his defection - plus the retirement of Simon Katich - left the defending BBL champions with a major void at the top of the order.
Langer is no longer bitter about Simmons' decision to leave, saying he understands the batsman was only trying to shore up his future.
And the master coach won't order his charges to start a sledging match with Simmons.
"I'll tell them not to get stuck in, just get him out," Langer said.
"We know he's a dangerous player. I couldn't care less what they say to him, as long as they get him out early."
Simmons' replacement - English batsman Michael Carberry - suffered a scare on Wednesday when he was struck on his left elbow while warming up for a practice match.
The 34-year-old was later cleared of any serious damage, and is expected to front up for his Scorchers debut on Monday.
Former Redback Michael Klinger will also make his debut for a depleted Scorchers outfit missing stars Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Adelaide made a dream start to their BBL campaign when they thrashed the highly-fancied Melbourne Stars by eight wickets on Thursday.
Simmons scored 30 off 15 balls in that match, while Tim Ludeman notched an unbeaten 92 off just 44 balls.
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