Josh Brown and Will Sutherland are set to join the Melbourne Renegades Academy squad for the upcoming Top End T20 series in Darwin, while fast bowler Scott Boland will be representing the Melbourne Stars Academy.
Sutherland, who debuted in ODIs against West Indies last season, will lead the Renegades. His winter was spent recovering from another stress fracture in his back, preventing him from a second consecutive county stint with Somerset.
Meanwhile, Brown, a notable off-season acquisition, moved from Brisbane Heat after an impressive BBL season, highlighted by a dazzling 140 off 57 balls against Adelaide Strikers. Although fans will have to wait until December for his much-anticipated partnership with Jake Fraser-McGurk in the BBL, Brown's first appearance for the Renegades will be in the Top End tournament.
The Renegades have also added Kane Richardson and Victoria opener Marcus Harris, who currently does not have a BBL contract. Harris, who played one match for Perth Scorchers last season as a late replacement in the Eliminator final, will add depth to the squad.
On the other hand, Boland will take on a dual role for the Stars, participating in their academy squad while also serving as a bowling coach. Should Boland play, it will be his first competitive game since April when a heel injury cut short his county stint with Durham.
The Stars' squad will also benefit from the experience of Hilton Cartwright, part of their BBL team.
The Top End T20 series will feature the academy teams of Stars and Renegades alongside Northern Territory Strike, Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers, Tasmania, ACT Comets, Pakistan A, and a Bangladesh High-Performance side.
Jake Weatherald from Tasmania and Adelaide Strikers, along with D'Arcy Short of Western Australia and Strikers, will represent NT Strike, promising an action-packed tournament.