David Warner To Miss The Inaugural UAE T20 League?
David Warner in BBL (Image Source: Twitter)
A new T20 League is going to happen in UAE in January 2023. Reports are there that several international players will be available for the first season. The Indian T20 League franchises are going to help this league financially. Therefore, reports were there that the Australian star batter, David Warner might choose to play in this league over the Big Bash.
However, now reports are suggesting that Warner might avoid this new League. He might choose to play in the Australian T20 League for the first time since 2013. Negotiations have been already started with the Cricket Australia Board.
“They were in negotiations to have Warner play in the BBL.” – Warner’s manager, James Erskine
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Warner’s manager, James Erskine said that Cricket Australia and the association have started negotiations to make him play in this year’s edition. Initially, Australia was going to play South Africa in a bilateral series during that timeline of January 2023. But, the Proteas have backed out from the series for kick-starting their new T20 franchise league.
As per contracts of Cricket Australia, there is no certain rule that contracted national players have to play the Big Bash League mandatorily. However, that’s why the new UAE T20 League franchises are looking to offer those players US$ 450,000. This new league is going to happen from January 6 to February 12.
However, regarding this, former Australian batter Adam Gilchrist shared his suggestion to the Board earlier this month. He said that the Board needs to take strict actions to prohibit such action in the near future. He said: “If he (Warner) rides off into the sunset and says, ‘Sorry Australian cricket, I’m going to become a gun for hire for my Indian franchise team in various tournaments’ you can’t question him on that. That’s his prerogative and he’s done everything. He needs to get the profile and get that market value. It’s the new younger player coming in that starts to make those noises where it’ll be really challenging.”
