The Sydney Thunder have called in the cavalry, with the next three days shaping as their best chance to end a 17-match Big Bash losing streak.
The streak, which extends back to December 23, 2011, started in the inaugural BBL season after the Thunder had won their opening two games.
It continued through a horror campaign last summer, and has started with four more losses this time around.
But with the competition’s other two major strugglers looming as their next two opponents, star batsman Usman Khawaja overcoming a hamstring injury and Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis arriving, things are finally looking up for the BBL’s most maligned franchise.
Khawaja has been named to make his comeback on Wednesday against the seventh-placed Brisbane Heat, who have one win this year.
The team will then travel to Hobart for Friday’s fixture against the struggling Hurricanes, who also have just one win to their name.
Helping matters is the addition of Mendis, who boasts 60 wickets at an average of 13.23 for Sri Lanka.
Mendis said he was hopeful of the Thunder breaking their streak on Wednesday, and said he aimed to use his guile to give them the upper hand.
“I try to mix my bowling and do variation,” he said.
The Thunder’s leading run-scorer last BBL season, Khawaja hurt his hamstring while top-scoring with 66 in their round one loss to the Sydney Sixers.
They desperately need the 27-year-old’s skill and experience at the top of the order – especially after losing impressive English import Eoin Morgan to this month’s one-day series with Australia.
Meanwhile, paceman Andrew Tye also returns from injury after missing the opening four BBL matches.
He replaces spinner Carl Sandri in the squad.
Squad: Mike Hussey (capt), Ryan Carters, Usman Khawaja, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Andrew Tye, Jason Floros, Kurtis Patterson, Cameron Borgas, Ajantha Mendis, Dirk Nannes, Gurinder Sandhu, Chris Tremain, Daniel Hughes.