Pakistan's Mohammed Hafeez is a last-minute injury replacement for Lasith Malinga. Source: Ineke Zondag / AP
THE Melbourne Stars are just one mishap on Monday morning away from fielding a 10-man team for their Big Bash League game against Perth.
And that's provided last-minute recruit Mohammad Hafeez arrives as expected overnight from Pakistan as the runaway BBL leaders face a logistics nightmare for their last regular season match at the MCG.
Cricket Australia has ruled seven of the Stars' squad with various national squad commitments are unable to face the Scorchers.
And while the Stars are playing a straight bat publicly, they're privately fuming that it's possible for English import Luke Wright to play in the match yet his Australian T20 team counterparts Cameron White and James Muirhead are not.
The Stars have spent much of the past week scrambling to find a replacement for Lasith Maligna after Sri Lanka Cricket pulled rank and demanded his return for a national fitness camp.
Hafeez was only granted official clearance on Sunday afternoon as visas were hurriedly arranged for the all-rounder who had originally been part of the Melbourne Renegades' squad before Pakistan Test team commitments forced those plans to be abandoned.
CA said that because Hafeez's Renegades contract was "never executed", he was eligible for the Stars.
The unbeaten minor premier was also told it is unable to promote development rookie Ben Abbatangelo as an official 12th man, although he will be able to act as a sub fielder.
Stars veteran David Hussey joked that the team's "chief hydration officer", comedian Andy Lee, was on standby.
"Andy put his hand up to bat No. 3, but we've got our bare 11 and hopefully we can put on a good show for our fans," Hussey joked.
"I can sort of understand where Cricket Australia is coming from. Their directive is to produce the best possible Australian cricket team and play their best possible players.
"But I'm a little disappointed personally that Luke Wright is available to play for us and our (own) international T20 players aren't available."
Hussey said the Stars were confident there would be no change to the team's momentum despite the influx of new names.
"The depth has been tested, but in saying that, people like Clive Rose, `Frank' (Daniel) Worrall are champing at the bit to get out there and play," he said.
"The momentum and confidence is still high within the group."
Hussey said it would be easy to lose focus on the Scorchers with next week's semi-final against Hobart already locked in.
"You never want to look too far ahead, in T20 cricket especially if you take your eye of the ball eve for one over you lose the game and confidence as well.
"It's definitely good to beat your opposition. We might have to play the Scorchers again."
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