Cummins, Thomas facing Scorchers axe
Perth Scorchers paceman Pat Cummins and Twenty20 expert Alfonso Thomas are facing the chop ahead of Wednesday's Big Bash League semi-final against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.
With Nathan Coulter-Nile back on deck and the Scorchers likely to play two spinners at the SCG, one of Thomas, Cummins and Jason Behrendorff will be axed.
On paper, Behrendorff seems vulnerable.
But given his strong form this summer, it's more likely either Cummins or Thomas will be dropped instead.
Cummins, touted as a future Test and one-day star for Australia, has returned expensive figures of 1-40 and 0-38 since returning from a serious back injury.
Thomas, who has battled his own back injury this summer, has claimed just two wickets in six matches.
When the Scorchers beat the Sixers in a super-over thriller at the SCG earlier this year, Behrendorff starred with 3-21 from four overs.
Behrendorff claimed the key scalps of Stephen O'Keefe, Moises Henriques and Marcus North in that game, and the 23-year-old left-hander is likely to get the chance to repeat the dose.
"Hopefully Jason Behrendorff can get the ball swinging again and rip through their top order like he did last time," Scorchers veteran Adam Voges said before the team flew out to Sydney on Monday.
"Coulter-Nile comes straight back in. He's been magnificent for Australia when he's got his opportunities this summer.
"It means unfortunately one of our bowlers will miss out. That will be a tough call."
The Sixers enter the match without a host of their best players.
Henriques, Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon are in South Africa on Test duties, while O'Keefe (shoulder) and Jordan Silk (foot) are injured.
The Scorchers will be without injured opener Shaun Marsh and Pakistan paceman Yasir Arafat (thumb), but otherwise are at full strength.
The winner of Wednesday's match will secure a berth in the lucrative T20 Champions League.
The Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes will battle it out in the other BBL semi-final.
