Big names released from national duty for BBL decider at Adelaide Oval

CRICKET Australia will release Adelaide’s Alex Carey, Travis Head and Hobart’s Darcy Short from Australia’s Twenty20 camp in a dramatic boost for Sunday’s BBL final at Adelaide Oval.

CRICKET Australia bowed to common sense and a tsunami of criticism over scheduling by releasing Adelaide Strikers Alex Carey, Travis Head and Hobart’s Darcy Short for today’s BBL grand final.

However Strikers express spearhead Billy Stanlake will remain with Australia’s Twenty20 unit despite a three-day gap between the second Twenty20 international against England in Hobart on Wednesday. Adelaide also loses superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan to international duty for Afghanistan’s one-day clash with Zimbabwe on Monday in Dubai.

Travis Head.

Alex Carey.

CA is taking a conservative approach with Stanlake, 23, who has played just two first-class games since November 2015 for Queensland due to back stress fractures.

CA was under fire from greats including Justin Langer and Mitchell Johnson over a BBL finals talent drain to Australian one-day and T20 commitments but won back some favour by clearing brilliant trio Head, Carey and Short to play.

A BBL final without the all star cast its target youth demographic have worshipped in droves this summer would be like watching Happy Days without the Fonz.

Opener Short, 27, has made a BBL season record 504 runs at 56 for the Hurricanes followed by keeper-batsman Carey’s 425 at 53 in 10 innings. Head has 334 at 47 in eight digs. The trio will travel to Hobart on Monday ahead of the second T20 international.

Hurrican star D'Arcy Short will play in Adelaide.

Keeper Tim Paine has been permitted to front for the Hurricanes before leaving for Australia’s four-Test tour of South Africa.

Having smashed a match-winning 85 in 57 balls in the semi-final against the Hurricanes Head rushed back to Sydney on Saturday morning only to return to Adelaide on Sunday morning.

Billy Stanlake will stay with the Australian T20 squad.

“It was very proactive from the selectors and Darren Lehmann to give me the opportunity,” said Head of his release from Australian duty to mastermind the Strikers surge to a maiden final.

“I’m only young still, I’m still trying to learn my craft and there’s nothing better than playing in front of a full house in high-pressure games.

“I was able to be a match-winner which was fantastic.”

Originally published as Big names released from national duty for BBL decider at Adelaide Oval