BBL: Sydney Sixers have last-ditch Steve Smith move blocked

The Sydney Sixers have been ravaged by Covid-19 and injury ahead of Wednesday’s match but they’re getting little sympathy from the BBL.

Smith had been keen to play for the Sixers this summer but a rule that is less than one month old is keeping him out. (Photo by Mark Evans – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

The Sydney Sixers don’t have enough players on their list to field a 13-man team for Wednesday night’s Challenger, but the side is getting little sympathy from the BBL, who have blocked their last-ditch attempt to bring Steve Smith back into the side to replace Josh Philippe.

Wicketkeeper-batter Philippe, struck down by Covid-19, will miss Wednesday night’s Challenger final against the Adelaide Strikers, joining Covid-positive brothers Mickey and Jack Edwards on the sidelines.

The BBL rejected Smith on the grounds that he was not part of the central pool of local replacement players created on January 10.

However, the league has permitted Jay Lenton to come into the side to keep wicket despite the fact that he wasn’t part of the pool, either.

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Of the replacement pool, only Nick Bertus has kept wicket in the past but he has never done so at T20 level prorfessionally, so the Sixers told the BBL they would prefer to select a keeper with more experience behind the stumps.

Their request to bring Lenton into the side was approved, given he has been inside the BBL’s biosecurity protocols as an assistant coach this summer.

Philippe had an outstanding tournament playing for his beloved Sixers, earning unanimous selection in the official BBL Team Of The Tournament. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

The Sixers could be forced to pick another player from the pool at the 11th hour, with veteran batter Daniel Hughes racing to recover from a leg injury in time.

A call will be made on Hughes’ fitness as close to the bat flip as possible and if he is ruled out, he is set to be replaced by Nick Bertus, Jake Carder or Lachlan Hearne.

The Sixers have vented their frustration about the BBL’s perceived lack of flexibility on the Smith issue since the outset.

“To stay (I’m) a little bit disgruntled would be an understatement. It’s really disappointing,” said skipper Moises Henriques on Friday.

“It’s sad for cricket. That’s all.”

Henriques was shattered by the move. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)

Superstar Sixers paceman Sean Abbott revealed Smith’s selflessness had come back to bite him at the business end of the tournament.

While other Test players remained under contract at BBL sides during the Ashes, Smith chose not to sign a deal and take up a spot on the Sixers’ list.

“At the start of the season, he opted not to go for a contract unlike some other guys have, and give other guys in the squad the opportunity to be part of the Sixers and feel a part of the Sixers with a contract,” Abbott said.

Abbott said the BBL was inadvertently punishing its fans by keeping Smith on the sidelines.

“It’s disappointing,” he said.

“If I was someone sitting at home not able to come to the Big Bash, I’d certainly want to be watching Steve Smith go out there and play for the Sixers.