Strikers eye home final in BBL

Jan 12, 2016 - 6:46 AM The Adelaide Strikers are just one win away from securing a BBL home semi-final but they'll have to do it without some key players.

Towering paceman Billy Stanlake is the latest player to have been ruled out for the Strikers' clash against the Hobart Hurricanes on Tuesday after suffering lumbar stress fractures.

Fellow quick Kane Richardson, who has been named in Australia's ODI squad, will also miss the game.

Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene is meanwhile expected to miss the next two matches after straining his quadricep during the Strikers' eight-wicket win over the Brisbane Heat.

Jayawardene had starred for the Strikers since being promoted to the top of the order, showing a more aggressive side to his game with consecutive half-centuries.

His absence could pave the way for Jake Lehmann - the son of Australia coach Darren Lehmann - to move up the order.

"Obviously I'd love to get out there and have a shot," Lehmann told reporters on Tuesday.

"If that is the case, I'm more than happy to be doing that. I'll be happy to play every single game and not have a bat if that's the way it goes and we keep winning."

The chances of a recall for Craig Simmons, who opened the batting for the Strikers in their first four games but struggled for form, appear to have been dashed.

The Strikers have instead opted for youth, naming rookie Kelvin Smith and allrounder Hamish Kingston in their 13-man squad for Wednesday's clash at Adelaide Oval.

Hobart have made one change to their squad, naming Dom Michael to replace Jake Reed.

The game shapes as a must-win for the Hurricanes, with a finals berth also dependent upon other results falling their way.

Source: AAP