Star Australian opener David Warner and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis have pulled out of the inaugural version of ‘The Hundred’ because the England and Wales Cricket Board prepares for extra evacuations in view of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Warner and Stoinis, who returned house from COVID-ravaged India final month following the suspension of the IPL, had been named in Australia’s preliminary squads for limited-overs excursions of West Indies and Bangladesh.
The upcoming excursions compete with The Hundred which is scheduled to be held between July and August.
“It is clearly disappointing to lose players of the potential of David and Marcus, but the realities of COVID mean there are practicalities for some overseas players that are difficult to overcome,” the ECB stated in an announcement on Thursday. “
“The overseas players will be signed by the Southern Brave to replace them, and we look forward to showcasing world-class cricket this summer.”
Warner and Stoinis signed offers for The Hundred with the Southern Braves for £100,000 and £80,000 respectively.
New Zealand’s Sophie Devine had additionally withdrawn, whereas Shaheen Afridi can also be prone to withdraw after being included in Pakistan’s T20I and Test squads for the Caribbean tour.
Flamboyant West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell can also be prone to be unavailable for the primary half of the match as he’s busy together with his house T20I collection in opposition to Australia and Pakistan.
Shadab Khan, who was included in Pakistan’s T20I squad, can also be set to be out for at the least the primary half of the group stage of the match.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
