The Perth Scorchers camp has become the latest to be infiltrated by COVID-19, with batsman Nick Hobson ruled out of Sunday’s meeting with Melbourne Stars after testing positive.

Scorchers paceman Matt Kelly is also unavailable after being placed into isolation due to his contact with a positive case.

The game at Melbourne’s Junction Oval has been confirmed to go ahead, despite COVID tearing through the Stars’ squad. They have 10 players unavailable, with six more local replacement players from Victorian grade cricket approved so the Stars can field a team.

Big-name Stars players Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa and Nathan Coulter-Nile are among those missing for Sunday’s game, with regular starters Joe Burns and Beau Webster also out.

Melbourne coach David Hussey will also be absent, with Chris Rogers to help lead the Stars.

Perth will be weakened by the loss of batters Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis as Test squad reinforcements, meaning Hobson would likely have been in line for his first appearance of this summer’s Big Bash League tournament. The 27-year-old has impressed in cameos as a substitute fielder.

Cricket Australia said additional measures would be in place for both of Sunday’s BBL fixtures, with the clash between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers to follow. Thunder are without four players in COVID isolation.

Last week’s scheduled match between the Scorchers and Stars was unable to be played on Thursday after a Stars staffer tested positive, leading to the cluster.

It is unclear when the postponed match will be played.

Tymal Mills and Cam Bancroft are both likely to return to the Scorchers’ XI for Sunday’s clash, with Aaron Hardie also shaping for a recall.