BBL 13: Harry Brook withdraws from Melbourne Stars stint

The Stars have been hit with a blow before the Big Bash season, with one of its marquee players withdrawing due to England commitments, reports DANIEL CHERNY.

The Big Bash League has been dealt a fresh blow with England Ashes hero Harry Brook withdrawing from a planned stint with the Melbourne Stars because of workload concerns.

The middle-order blaster was taken by the Stars at pick No. 2 of the overseas player draft in September after the Adelaide Strikers matched a bid on Rashid Khan at pick No. 1.

However having been named in England’s one-day and Twenty20 squads for a tour of the West Indies next month, and with a Test series in India beginning in late January, Brook decided that something had to give in a cramped schedule.

That turned out to be the Stars.

It is the second straight year the BBL has lost one of its early draft picks because of England commitments, with Liam Livingstone – last season’s No. 1 selection – ruled out of playing for the Melbourne Renegades after a Test call-up to tour Pakistan.

Brook was part of England’s failed World Cup campaign. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

It is conceivable that there could be further disruption given batter Zak Crawley (Perth Scorchers) and spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed (Sydney Sixers) are also part of the West Indies tour and likely to feature in the Indian series too.

The Stars said they were already well down the track to find a replacement for Brook, whose acquisition was heralded as a coup on draft night.

“Naturally we’re disappointed that Harry has withdrawn from the BBL but we understand his decision with his increased workload,” Stars general manager Blair Crouch said.

“We obviously rate Harry extremely highly and we would have loved to have seen him at the MCG alongside Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis this summer.

“We wish him all the best with his upcoming international commitments.”

“Given Harry was set to miss the opening three matches, the club had already signed a replacement player for that period.

“Currently the coaching staff and list management team are discussing options for the remainder of the tournament and we look forward to announcing those signings once they have been finalised.”

Brook was initially bypassed for England’s World Cup squad but was added at the 11th hour, making one 50 from six matches in what was a disastrous title defence.

Originally published as BBL 13: Harry Brook withdraws from Melbourne Stars stint