But, while disappointing for the average punter, that has thrust a number of the Thunder’s unsung heroes from last year’s title-winning BBL campaign into the spotlight, while the fixtures themselves have done that for Hong Kong’s relatively unknown talents.

Both sides boast plenty of power with both bat and ball and on numbers alone the Hong Kong players more than match-up to their Thunder counterparts.

For the Sydney side, the likes of Ben Rohrer and Gurinder Sandhu in particular come to the fore. Both have played international cricket and both have contributed magnificently to the Thunder’s cause in recent seasons.

Rohrer has experience on his side and is likely to take over the Thunder captaincy with Watson hurt, while wicketkeeper Chris Hartley shares a similar level of experience.

However, Chris Green and Alister McDermott shape as two game-breakers for the Thunder.

Green has a stellar record in the shortest format although he’s only played nine games, while McDermott burst onto the scene before falling off the radar somewhat – he has a point to prove as a result.

Hong Kong on the other hand will rely on skipper Babar Hayat, who is also the country’s leading run-scorer of all-time, along with young gun quick Aizaz Khan, who happens to be Hayat’s deputy as well, and spinner Nadeem Ahmed.

The trio are three of the most experienced players in the Hong Kong side, despite Khan being just 23, and will be the unit’s focal point with bat and ball, respectively.

BEN ROHRER: 73 games, 1249 runs @ 26.57, HS 64*.

CHRIS GREEN:  9 games, 8 wickets @ 19.75, BB 3-27.

ALISTER McDERMOTT: Alister McDermott: 24 games, 29 wickets @ 22.68, BB 4-37.

BABAR HAYAT: 44 games, 841 runs @ 24.73, HS 122.

AIZAZ KHAN: 40 games, 41 wickets @ 20.7, BB 5-25.

NADEEM AHMED: 34 games, 38 wickets @ 20.57, BB 5-12.