Former Australian Twenty20 batsman Travis Birt appears set to make his Perth Scorchers' debut after being called into the franchise's squad as cover for the injured Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Birt is among a number of additions to the Scorchers' 13-man squad for their Big Bash League (BBL) match against Brisbane on Boxing Day, with Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh and Shaun Marsh all unavailable while away on Australian duties.
In their place are bowlers Jason Behrendorff and James Muirhead, while batsman Marcus Harris also coming into the extended side.
Birt, who has played four Twenty20 internationals for Australia between 2010 and 2012, is certain to be included in the final 12 with BBL rules stipulating replacement players must be named on the team card for the following match.
He would also be a handy replacement for the Scorchers, given Shaun Marsh (47) and Voges (45 not out) were their two highest scorers in their opening loss to the Adelaide Strikers.
The 34-year-old has not played a high-level match since representing the Hobart Hurricanes last summer, and has been playing club cricket ever since.
The Scorchers are also resigned to being without Coulter-Nile for the remainder of the tournament, after the left-arm quick dislocated his right shoulder on Monday night.
Scorchers 13-man squad: Michael Klinger (capt), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Travis Birt, Michael Carberry, Marcus Harris, Brad Hogg, James Muirhead, Joel Paris, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Willey.
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