Siddle returns as BBL clubs chase finals

The Adelaide Strikers have rushed back experienced paceman Peter Siddle for their must-win KFC Big Bash clash against the Brisbane Heat on Sunday evening, with fellow quick Billy Stanlake omitted from the 13-man squad.

Siddle missed the Strikers' impressive victory over the Hurricanes in Launceston on Thursday, but was released from his Test duties with Australia and slotted straight back into the Strikers squad as the reigning champions look to stay alive in the race for back-to-back BBL titles.

Stanlake goes the other way, with the Australia limited-overs quick dropped completely from the squad after he sat out the win in Tasmania earlier in the week.

The towering paceman has 10 wickets from 10 matches at BBL|08, but his economy rate of 9.13 is the worst in the competition for bowlers to have taken more than five scalps.

Both the Strikers and the Heat need to win their remaining two games of the tournament and have other results go their way if they are to feature in the finals.

The Heat have also added some experience to their squad, with leg-spinner Mitch Swepson and paceman Mark Steketee included for international sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman (family illness) and Brendan Doggett (omitted).

The second match of the Big Bash double header on Sunday sees the Perth Scorchers attempt to salvage something from a disappointing campaign when they host the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium.

The most successful team in Big Bash history sits on the bottom of the ladder with just three wins from 12 matches this campaign and is the only side already ruled out of finals contention.

Their task of defeating the fourth-placed Stars got tougher with news that veteran batsman Shaun Marsh will miss the match with hamstring soreness.

Marsh hurt his right hamstring while batting against the Heat on Friday night and will be assessed upon his return to Perth.

The loss of Marsh has been offset by the inclusion of Michael Klinger, who may get another chance with the bat after returning to the Scorchers' squad.

Klinger was overtaken by Chris Lynn as the leading run-scorer in the history of the Big Bash on Friday night and will be keen for a final appearance in front of the Perth faithful in what could be his last Big Bash campaign.

The Scorchers are also boosted by the return of paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile from a hamstring complaint, with spinner Usman Qadir omitted following a solitary wicket in each of his previous six appearances.

The Stars welcome Jackson Coleman back to their 13-man squad, with the underrated seamer taking the place of spinner Tom O'Connell.

Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat, 5:45pm local time

Brisbane Heat: Chris Lynn (c), Max Bryant, Ben Cutting, Sam Heazlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Lalor, Brendon McCullum, James Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson

Adelaide Strikers: Colin Ingram (c), Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Peter Siddle, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells

Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars, 6:15pm local time

Perth Scorchers: Mitch Marsh (c), Ashton Turner, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Guthrie, Nick Hobson, Clint Hinchcliffe, Josh Inglis, Matt Kelly, Michael Klinger, Andrew Tye. 

Melbourne Stars: Glenn Maxwell (c), Jackson Bird, Dwayne Bravo, Jackson Coleman, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Liam Plunkett, Marcus Stoinis, Dan Worrall, Adam Zampa