The BBL has created a pool of Local Replacement Players (LRP) for clubs to utilise when hit by COVID outbreaks to allow the competition to continue running.
The players will live under BBL hub protocols, and while they will be designated ‘home’ teams they can feature for any team that includes them in their selected 13.
Therefore, individuals in the pool could feature for multiple clubs during the remainder of the competition.
COVID has created chaos for the league over the past two weeks, seeing postponements and hastily rescheduled games become a regular part of BBL|11.
All clubs have had at least one player test positive, however the Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat are two franchises that have been hit particularly hard by the virus with at least a dozen positives.
Only the LRP pool can be used for teams drafting in new players unless otherwise approved, and the league expects the number of replacement players to grow in the coming days.
The majority of upcoming matches will be played in Victoria as the league moves towards a hub approach.
Central LRP pool: Nicholas Bertus (Sydney Sixers), Jake Carder (Perth Scorchers), Iain Carlisle (Hobart Hurricanes), Daniel Drew (Adelaide Strikers), Jake Doran (Melbourne Stars), Lachlan Hearne (Sydney Thunder), Lachlan Pfeffer (Brisbane Heat – currently in the 18-player squad), Brayden Stepien (Melbourne Renegades)