BBL 2017/18: Travis Head to Join Adelaide Strikers Squad Ahead of Semifinal Clash

Adelaide Strikers captain Travis Head has joined the squad after Australian team management decided to release him ahead of their semifinal clash.

Strikers play their semifinal clash of the KFC Big Bash League (BBL) against Melbourne Renegades at Adelaide Oval, tomorrow (February 2nd). Cricket Australia has released Head citing “exceptional circumstances” from the T20 squad that will play the tri-nation series. Head will rejoin the team ahead of the Saturday’s match.

Head, who trained with the Australian side in Sydney on Wednesday after Australia’s 14-player squad assembled, comes back into the Strikers squad at Kelvin Smith’s expense.

Head’s inclusion will be a cause of concern for the Renegades, who will miss the service of their star batsman Aaron Finch, and fast bowler Kane Richardson, who has bagged 12 wickets through the tournament.

Similarly, both Perth Scorchers (Ashton Agar and Andrew Tye) and Hobart Hurricanes (D’Arcy Short) will miss some of their most explosive talents ahead of the BBL finals. While the Strikers themselves will remain without fellow Billy Stanlake and Alex Carey, who is currently serving the national side.

James Sutherland, CEO of Cricket Australia discussed the tight scheduling, concerning BBL clashing with T20 Internationals at this time of the year.

“(The BBL and domestic cricket is) a poor cousin in some ways you might say but at the same time, we have hopes we can build that by perhaps giving it some clear air in February. That’s something we’re exploring,” Sutherland said on Melbourne radio station SEN.

Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer also admitted this situation was leaving the supporters confused.

“I think (the schedule) is one of the biggest challenges for the Big Bash and Cricket Australia (CA) going forward,” Langer said.

“As soon as the public gets confused, I think you’ve got problems,” Langer concluded.

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