When captain Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa last played for the Stars in their win over Sydney Thunder on the Gold Coast less than a fortnight ago, Maxwell’s side had won three on the trot and moved to second on the Big Bash League ladder.

However with that trio, as well as Peter Handscomb, all unavailable because of Australian one-day international duties, the Stars have faltered badly, losing three in a row and plummeting to the bottom of the Big Bash League ladder.

A deeper look shows that it’s not just the representative quartet’s absence that is hurting the Stars.

The club has also been without Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who will only return late in the tournament after Bangladesh Premier League commitments, injured paceman Daniel Worrall, who hasn’t played a game all tournament, and fellow quick Jackson Coleman (personal reasons).

Worrall remains on a modified program as he manages a back complaint, although the Stars remain hopeful he will feature towards the tail-end of the tournament. Promisingly Coleman has returned to training after taking a break from the game, while Lamichhane’s Sylhet Sixers made a slow start to the BPL and could miss the playoffs, meaning the Stars may get him back slightly earlier.

Importantly Handscomb, Maxwell, Stoinis and Zampa are all set to play in Saturday night’s derby at Marvel Stadium against the Melbourne Renegades, who also get back captain Aaron Finch from ODI duties.

Stars coach Stephen Fleming said earlier this week that his side had wasted a chance to gain crucial points while the big names were away.

“I think we’re disappointed that we missed an opportunity with the team that we had,” Fleming said.

“Whilst it’s great to have that calibre of players back, it doesn’t just happen.

“So we’ve got to work really hard on how they integrate back into the group.

“Before they left we were flying, so we’ll try to recapture that as quick as we can.

“It’s an unsettling time. We’ve just got to settle as quick as we can.

“Time’s running out, and we’ve got to make sure they integrate well and perform well, but also get a lift from the guys that are still in the team.

“The overall feeling is that it was a missed opportunity.

“There were some individual plays but in terms of absolute standouts or match-winning performances we came up short.

“We knew it was going to be hard, when you have four that go on Australian duties and you have two or three on the injured list it’s a big chunk to lose.”

Paceman Scott Boland is unavailable for Saturday night’s game because he is in Hobart playing for the Cricket Australia XI.

The good news for the Stars is that the BBL ladder remains tight, with just four points separating them from the second-placed Renegades.