Brisbane Heat suffer a dozen Covid-19 positives as Sydney Sixers clash is postponed again

A failure to recruit enough replacement players means Heat were unable to fulfil the fixture at Metricon Stadium

Brisbane Heat's clash with Sydney Sixers has been postponed for a second time after a dozen Covid-19 cases were detected within the squad.

The match at Metricon Stadium had been moved forward 24 hours from its original date of January 4 after a number of rapid antigen positives emerged.

Perth Scorchers stood in for Heat and played Sixers to give them extra time to test players and find replacements.

Now it has emerged that 12 Heat players have returned positive PCR tests and are now isolating.

And Heat's inability to secure enough replacement players in the hours since the first case was confirmed meant they were unable to field the 13 players required on the new date of January 5.

The Big Bash League will confirm a new day for the match in due course.

Melbourne Stars' match with Scorchers is also awaiting a new date having been postponed earlier in the competition.

"Tonight’s KFC Big Bash League match between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers at Metricon Stadium has been postponed," a BBL statement said.

^{Sean Abbott's heroics won the first match between the two teams (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)}

"Twelve Heat players today returned positive PCR tests for COVID-19 and are currently isolating. Despite its best endeavours, the club was unable to recruit enough replacement players in the 24 hours since the first case was identified to make up the required squad of 13 for tonight’s match.

"The League will advise a new date for the match as soon as possible. Ticket holders for tonight’s match will be contacted directly regarding the refund process."

There is uncertainty over whether Heat's next scheduled game against Melbourne Renegades on January 6 will go ahead too.

Heat are confident they can get 13 players together to fulfil the match. Available players will travel on a chartered flight to Geelong while overseas replacement player Fakhar Zaman is now eligible to play. Melbourne-based local stars can also be added to the group to make up the numbers.

However, a positive inside the Renegades camp could yet thwart attempts to get the game on.

An unnamed player has returned a positive rapid antigen test. Training on Wednesday (January 5) was cancelled and all players have undergone a round of PCR tests. A squad for the game will be confirmed once all results are known.