BBL 2022: Sydney Sixers effort to bring Steve Smith in Challenger rejected after Josh Phillipe tests COVID-19 positive
Zee News
Steve Smith was denied to be a part of the Sydney Sixers for the BBL 2021-22 finals by Cricket Australia.
Ahead of the Big Bash League (BBL) Play-off later on Wednesday, Sydney Sixers' last-ditch effort to get Australian batter Steve Smith on board for the clash against Adelaide Strikers was stonewalled by Cricket Australia (CA), despite the side woefully short of resources to field a 13-man team.
Smith, the Test vice-captain, was earlier not contracted by the Sixers this season as it was assumed that he would be unavailable due to international commitments such as the Ashes and the limited-overs series against New Zealand. But after the series against the Blackcaps got postponed because of COVID-related logistical problems and a window opened for Smith to play in the BBL Sixers contacted CA to contract him for the remaining matches.
Integrity or entertainment?
