Melbourne, Dec 20 (IANS): The T20 Big Bash League (BBL) Technical Committee has approved two changes to the Sydney Thunder squad, Cricket Australia (CA) announced Friday.

Andrew Tye has been ruled out due to injury and will be replaced by Italian international player Carl Sandri.

Sandri qualifies to play as a local player because he holds a current Australian passport and has not played for a full International Cricket Council (ICC) Member country in the past four years.

Luke Doran has also been ruled out and will be replaced by leg-spinner Blake Dean.

Under the new BBL playing conditions for this season, Tye and Doran will be able to resume their place in their squad if they recover from injury and are fit to resume playing duties before the end of the tournament.

The T20 Big Bash League starts Friday night with the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) lighting up for the Big Melbourne Derby between the Renegades and Stars from 7.45 p.m.