Local replacement player Brayden Stepien’s first appearance as a Perth Scorchers came in remarkable circumstances.

The Carlton gloveman wasn’t even at Adelaide Oval when he received the call to take the field for the depleted Scorchers, whose wicket-keeping stocks took another hit when Laurie Evans suffered a nasty toe injury while batting.

Part of the BBL’s local replacement player pool, the former Melbourne Renegade didn’t get named in the 13-player team and was getting a coffee down the road.

With Cameron Bancroft returning a positive PCR COVID-19 test and Josh Inglis, the only other full-time ‘keeper in the squad, with the Australian Test squad in Hobart, Chris Sabburg took the gloves for the first 10 overs of the Strikers’ run chase.

Stepien then rushed back to the ground by the mid-innings break.

The 24-year-old is likely to remain with the Scorchers for the remainder of the regular season with Bancroft unavailable for their final match against Brisbane Heat at Marvel Stadium and Inglis no certainty to be released by the Australian squad.

In-form English import Evans will go for scans in the next 24 hours to determine the extent of his toe injury, the result of a Harry Conway yorker, and his availability going forward.