BBL SemiFinal LIVE – Drama in Big Bash Semifinals, COACH forced to play for Sydney Sixers: The COVID-19 crisis has left BBL franchise Sydney Sixers with few options. The decision to ignore Steve Smith twice for the Big Bash league seems to have cost big time. In an unprecedented turn of events, the coach is now forced to play for the BBL team. Follow BBL LIVE & Latest updates on InsideSport.IN
BBL SemiFinal LIVE: Big Drama in Big Bash Semifinals, Steve Smith IGNORED ‘Coach drafted in Sydney Sixers Playing XI’ Follow LIVE Updates
Also Read: Big Bash Finals LIVE: Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper Josh Philippe tests positive for COVID-19
Drama in Big Bash Semifinals – SYS vs ADS LIVE: Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe on Wednesday tested positive for COVID-19, adding to the COVID drama. The team is already without Jack and Mickey Edwards due to Covid-19. Sydney Sixers no have little talent to pick from as they are forced to add assistant coach Jay Lenton into the squad. Cricket Australia have provided the Sixers with an exception with Phillipe testing positive for COVID-19.
Steve O’Keefe has ball in hand for the @SixersBBL. Assistant coach Jay Lenton is behind the stumps.
Matt Short and Alex Carey ready to face it all for the @strikersBBL. Let’s GO! #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/imsstszvcR
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 26, 2022
“I found out today at 1pm,” Lenton told Seven. “I haven’t played a game since playing for Manly just before Christmas.”
Assistant coach for @SixersBBL yesterday, playing for them today!
Jay Lenton talks through his whirlwind 24 hours #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/KtCms0tsvo
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 26, 2022
BBL SemiFinal LIVE: Big Drama in Big Bash Semifinals, Steve Smith IGNORED ‘Coach drafted in Sydney Sixers Playing XI’ 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
SYS vs ADS LIVE – Steve Smith would have been allowed to play, had he been a wicket-keeper. Lenton has played for Sydney Thunders for a number of years and he bats left-handed. The Sixers had requested CA to allow Steve Smith but its hardline stance prevented Smith’s entry into the squad.
“It’s disappointing. If I was someone sitting at home not able to come to the Big Bash, I’d certainly want to be watching Steve Smith go out there and play for the Sixers,” Australian all-rounder Sean Abbott told Fox Cricket.
so the sixers can draft in jay lenton, who’s not part of the replacement player pool, but if they want to bring in steve smith he has to be part of the replacement player pool? what the fuck are these rules
— Lenny Phillips (@lenphil29) January 26, 2022
While a number of players in the Test setup took part in BBL. Steve Smith chose not to renew his contract and take a spot for Sydney Sixers.
“At the start of the season, he opted not to go for a contract unlike some other guys have, and give other guys in the squad the opportunity to be part of the Sixers and feel a part of the Sixers with a contract,” he added.
“Sad for cricket”: Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques reacted to the situation.
Meanwhile, there was also uncertainty around how the clubs would choose their players.
The ongoing BBL competition has a number of players play for multiple franchises due to COVID outbreak.
BBL SemiFinal LIVE – SYS vs ADS LIVE: Big Drama in Big Bash Semifinals, Steve Smith IGNORED ‘Coach drafted in Sydney Sixers Playing XI’ Follow LIVE Updates
Sixers: Justin Avendano, Hayden Kerr, Jake Carder, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Sean Abbott, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Jay Lenton (wk), Nathan Lyon, Stephen O’Keefe
Introducing Sixers assistant coach and new wicketkeeper-batter Jay Lenton – a late inclusion for tonight’s Challenger final after Josh Philippe’s positive Covid test #BBL11
More details here: https://t.co/ziy8mGWbUn pic.twitter.com/xHyARzeqD2
— Jack Paynter (@jackpayn) January 26, 2022
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