George Bailey Finds Cricket Australia's Scheduling Pretty Hard to Comprehend
Published - 03 Feb 2018, 07:22 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:48 PM
Cricket Australia (CA) is currently hosting a couple of major T20 events. One by the name of Big Bash League (BBL) and other includes England, Australia, and New Zealand in a Triangular T20I series.
Australian internationals such as D’Arcy Short, Travis Head and Alex Carey are presently engaged in the Trans-Tasman tie in Sydney.
They will fly back to Adelaide to take part in the Big Bash League finals between Adelaide Striker and Hobart Hurricanes in Adelaide which is scheduled within 24 hours of the tie between Australia and New Zealand.
This has created some reservations within Hobart Hurricanes captain George Bailey regarding scheduling by Cricket Australia especially looking at the gap between the league stages and knock-out matches of the Big Bash League.
“I think showing that some of these guys can play an international game tonight and then step up and play tomorrow, that probably says there are some big gaps (in the current BBL program). I think nearly every team has had an eight or nine-day gap in this tournament, which is actually pretty hard to get your head around,” stated the former Australian captain according to cricket.co.au.
“It’s a game where momentum is really important, and when you have to be stopping for a week, it can be difficult. So no doubt a few back-to-back games and double-headers (would be ideal under an expanded program),” further added George Bailey.
Also Read: AUS vs. NZ 2018: Still No Rest for Australian All-Format Opener David Warner
That said, the Strikers would be devoid of services of their two main wicket-takers, Billy Stanlake and Rashid Khan. While Rashid Khan had to pull out of the finals due to international duties, Stanlake was prohibited to take part in the finals citing workload issues.
“He (Rashid) has been a great contributor for us this season and a great energy around the group, he’s a really likeable character and a whole-hearted cricketer. It is sad to see him go but hopefully he’ll be back soon and we wish him well,” stated Rashid’s teammate Colin Ingram.
“You just want your best players playing, I think it’s great for both teams and great for the tournament in general. As fans, and as players if you’re going to be winning a tournament we want to be winning against the absolute best and you want to be playing in the best possible team that you can. So it’s been a great compromise,” concluded Bailey.
