Stephen Eskinazi has become the latest heartbreak story of Perth Scorchers’ finals campaign.
The English import was given until Saturday afternoon to prove his fitness for The Knockout final against Adelaide Strikers but has been ruled out through injury.
The two-time reigning champions have handed a shock debut to Perth run machine Sam Fanning in the sudden-death contest at Optus Stadium.
They have won the toss and will bowl first.
The 23-year-old was signed just weeks ago as a local replacement player for injured captain Ashton Turner.
He will bat in a revamped top-order, opening alongside Marcus Harris, who will replace departed import Laurie Evans for his first Scorchers appearance in eight years.
Fanning impressed in a pre-season practice match, playing as a top-up player and blasting 63 from 41.
He has played five Sheffield Shield games since moving from New South Wales to take up a rookie deal with Western Australian.
He enters the biggest match of his career fresh off scoring 124 for Perth against Fremantle last week, one of two first-grade centuries this summer.
Eskinazi was struck on the right hand during Tuesday night’s defeat to Sydney Sixers and retired his innings hurt.
He was sent for scans on Wednesday, which The West Australian understands revealed only bad bruising.
The Claremont-Nedlands gun was signed as the third of the Scorchers’ internationals ahead of last season and played in their miracle final run chase against Brisbane Heat.
He was recalled late this season after the departure of fellow Englishman Laurie Evans.
Marcus Harris, who was signed by the club just six days ago, is set to bat in a revamped top order alongside Sam Whiteman being named in the XI.
Harris has not played a game for the Scorchers since moving to Victoria six years ago.
SCORCHERS’ FINAL XI
Marcus Harris
Sam Fanning
Sam Whiteman
Aaron Hardie
Josh Inglis
Cooper Connolly
Nick Hobson
Ashton Agar
Andrew Tye
Jason Behrendorff
Lance Morris