Published: Dec 12, 2015, 01:57 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 12, 2015, 02:00 PM (IST)
Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon are among the Australian Test cricketers, who at present on national duty playing the 3-match Test series against West Indies, are available for the upcoming edition of Big Bash League 2016 (BBL 2016). Meanwhile, the Australian skipper Steven Smith who represents Sydney Sixers has made himself unavailable for the opening two games of the T20 league due to knee and hip injuries. He wants to rest and ensure complete fitness prior to their second Test against West Indies at Melbourne Cricket Ground that is set to begin on the Boxing Day. FULL SOCRECARD: Australia vs West Indies, 1st Test at Hobart
According to cricket.com.au, the other Australian biggies who are unavailable for the BBL 2016 are Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood, while David Warner does not play in the Australian T20 league. The fast bowling duo—Siddle, Pattinson and Hazlewood—have been rested especially when Australia’s ace pacer Mitchell Starc is out of action with a stress fracture that he had sustained during the recently concluded Test series against New Zeland.
Smith who is fighting knee and hip injuries said, “I am experiencing a little bit of that knee pain I had before the first Test (against New Zealand) in Brisbane. I landed on it yesterday and aggravated it a little bit as well as some hip flexor soreness in my right leg. ”They might be related, but there’s a little bit soreness, so I am going to sit out the first Big Bash League games, unfortunately.” READ: Steven Smith to miss BBL due to knee, hip injuries; Will play 2nd Test against West Indies
Australian Test cricketers who are available for opening matches of BBL 2015:
