Why is Faf du Plessis not playing today’s BBL 12 match between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium?

During the 33rd match of Big Bash League 2022-23 between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat at the Optus Stadium, Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner has won the bat flip and elected to field.

Been on the right side of the bat flip four times in eight matches this season, Turner asking the opposition to bat first was followed by him announcing a four-member pace attack for suitable conditions.

Having won three and lost one out of their four home matches thus far, the defending champions will be eager to return to winning ways at home in a bid to further strengthen their position on BBL 12 ladder.

Why is Faf du Plessis not playing today vs Brisbane Heat?

Readers must note that Scorches have made a total of four changes to their Playing XI for this match. Batters Stephen Eskinazi and Cooper Connolly, all-rounder Aaron Hardie and fast bowler Lance Morris are playing on Saturday in place of opening batters Adam Lyth and Faf du Plessis, fast bowler Jhye Richardson and spinner Peter Hatzoglou.

Uncapped England batter Eskinazi and the most recent Australia’s U-19 captain Connolly are playing their first-ever match in the BBL today. While Hardie has returned to the Playing XI after a one-match break, Morris is playing his first match of the season after being released from the Australian Test squad.

While Lyth (73 runs at an average and strike rate of 10.42 and 96.05 respectively) has been dropped for what would’ve been his last match of the season, du Plessis has returned to South Africa after completing his seven-match stint scoring 163 runs at an average of 23.28 and a strike rate of 153.77.

A late replacement for Laurie Evans, former South African captain was always going to be available for half of BBL 12’s league stage due to his imminent stint for Johannesburg Super Kings in SA20 2023. Richardson, meanwhile, has suffered a hamstring injury.

Brisbane Heat, on the other hand, have made a solitary change to their Playing XI bringing in batter Max Bryant for James Bazley.