BBL 2021-22: It Is Sad For Cricket: Moises Henriques Lashes Out At Cricket Australia For Denying Steve Smith Entry To Play For Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers expressed disappointment over Cricket Australia’s decision to deny entry to star Australian batter Steve Smith to play in the Big Bash knockout stage.

Sydney Sixers ended the league stage on second position with 35 points and are scheduled to play against Perth Scorchers in the Qualifier match on Saturday (January 22).

Cricket Australia rejects Steve Smith’s application to play for Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers

Smith’s application to play for Sixers against Scorchers was rejected by CA as he was not named in the franchise’s playing list in the tournament.

Adelaide Strikers duo of Travis Head and Alex Carey joined from the Ashes with their franchise to play the Eliminator match against Hobart Hurricanes on Friday.

Smith, who was part of Australia’s victorious Ashes campaign, was supposed to be with the national team for the white-ball games against New Zealand, which has been postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In creating the central LRP pool, it was agreed that clubs would not be able to contract LRPs from outside the pool for the remainder of the season,” CA said in a statement on Friday.

“This request was denied … noting that other players returning to the BBL from international duty have been retained on club lists throughout the competition,” it added.

It’s sad for cricket: Moises Henriques on Steve Smith being denied entry to play for Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques wasn’t happy with the Australian board’s judgement for their star player. The all-rounder ridiculed the rule that denied Smith the entry to play for the team.

“You have got a former Australian captain, one of the best players in the world. You have got IPL teams who pay multi-million dollars just to have this guy as part of their franchise. Advertising, bums on seats, eyes on TVs. I mean, you do the maths,” Henriques said.

“And we’re saying no because of a rule that is two weeks old in some COVID bubble hub. To me, I don’t get it. We’re in the top two without him, so I have got absolute belief in our domestic talent and local talent to do the job. I think it’s sad for cricket, that’s all,” he added.

Both Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers will be in the quest for their fourth BBL titles to become the most successful franchise at the end of the season.

Also Read: If Steve Smith Has Got A Problem, Then He’ll Work It Out Pretty Quickly – Ricky Ponting