BBL FINAL LIVE: No Steve Smith in BBL 2022 finals – The wish of the Sydney Sixers to field their former captain and star Australian batter Steve Smith will remain an impossible reality after the request of the Sixers was denied by Cricket Australia. Follow all the LIVE score updates on InsideSport.IN
After the first request was rejected by Cricket Australia, an injury-plagued Sydney Sixers were of the opinion that a second request by the team playing the finals would be accepted, but much to their despair, it got rejected yet again.
Steve Smith has not been allowed to take part in the BBL 2022 finalsBBL FINAL LIVE: Steve Smith big NO for Big Bash League final, Cricket Australia rejects Sydney Sixers request again- Follow LIVE updates
Also Read: Big Bash League 2022 Final LIVE: How to watch BBL Final 2022 Live Streaming in your country, India
The Sydney Sixers applied for a second time after Smith’sinclusion into the team to play the semi-finals of the BBL was rejected. The Sixers are without Josh Phillips, Mickey Edwards, and other players who are ruled out with injury crisis and Covid concerns.
Jay Lenton has been allowed to pay for the Sydney outfits as the role of a wicketkeeping batsman since Lenton has been a part of the bio-bubble. Previously Lenton was in charge of the coaching duties of the side.
BBL FINAL LIVE: Steve Smith big NO for Big Bash League final, Cricket Australia rejects Sydney Sixers request again- Follow LIVE updates
The @SixersBBL needed a keeper following Josh Phillipe’s positive Covid result. So they’ve turned to former @ThunderBBL gloveman Jay Lenton, who has been an assistant under Greg Shipperd for #BBL11. Has been part of the bubble. @FoxCricket
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) January 26, 2022
BBL FINAL LIVE: Steve Smith big NO for Big Bash League final, Cricket Australia rejects Sydney Sixers request again- Follow LIVE updates
Also Read: Big Bash Finals LIVE: Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper Josh Philippe tests positive for COVID-19
The rules allow any player to join a team in the middle of the tournament as a means to replace an injured or available player if the substitute player is a part of the central replacement pool. Steve Smith however was not a part of the pool and thus he has been denied to play the BBL finals for a second time this season.
The involvement of Smith comes in the wake of the Australia series against New Zealand being cancelled owing to the rise in the number of covid cases. Cricket Australia is of the opinion that rules cannot be changed to include a particular player to take part in the competition and in no way the rules and the integrity of the tournament are to be compromised and jeopardized for a particular player.
Sydney Sixers will take the field against Adelaide Strikers in a playoff game today.
BBL FINAL LIVE: Steve Smith big NO for Big Bash League final, Cricket Australia rejects Sydney Sixers request again- Follow LIVE updates