‘Ridiculous’: Mitchell Starc snubs Big Bash League despite January availability

Cricket Australia would be desperate for the sport’s biggest stars to play in this summer’s BBL, but Mitchell Starc isn’t interested.

Mitchell Starc has become the first high-profile Australian cricketer to confirm he will not play in next summer’s Big Bash League tournament.

The Big Bash traditionally coincides with Test matches during the home summer of cricket, meaning Australian multi-format players, such as Pat Cummins and David Warner, rarely feature in the popular T20 tournament.

Warner, arguably the country’s most successful T20 cricketer, has not played a Big Bash match in nearly nine years, while Cummins has featured in just one BBL game since he was recalled to the Test team in 2017.

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Although the schedule for next summer’s BBL has not been unveiled yet, the competition will presumably clash with Australia’s three Test matches and three ODIs against South Africa in December and January.

However, reports suggest Cricket South Africa is pushing for the one-day fixtures to be cancelled so they do not coincide with their newly-introduced privately-owned T20 league.

This would open a window for Australia’s international stars to play in the Big Bash League, but although Cricket Australia would be desperate to ensure the sport’s biggest names can make an appearance, Starc has already decided he won’t be signing for any franchise.

“I have always enjoyed the BBL when I have played it … but my approach with all franchise cricket hasn‘t changed over the last seven years,” Starc told AAP.

“My approach to the IPL, BBL, I have looked at the Australian schedule and wanting to be as fit and well-performed for that as I can.

“And franchise cricket has taken a back seat.

“The schedule in the next 18 months is ridiculous.

“I will always keep Australian cricket front of mind, and then franchise cricket (second).

“I also like spending time at home and seeing my wife (Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy).”

Mitchell Starc has not played a BBL game since 2014/15. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Australian men’s team is about to embark on a chaotic 18 months on the road, featuring a home T20 World Cup campaign, two Test series against South Africa, a long-awaited tour of India, an away Ashes series and a World Cup campaign.

Starc, who has opted out of this year’s Indian Premier League and last played for the Sydney Sixers in 2014/15, can be forgiven for taking advantage of any break that comes his way.

But the BBL has been starved of international-quality talent after the last two summers were plagued by Covid-19.

Last week, The Daily Telegraph reported that broadcaster Channel 7 had launched Federal Court action against CA in a bid to terminate its TV rights deal.

According to the News Corp report, Seven is adamant the cricketers that featured in last summer’s BBL were not of a high enough quality for the competition to meet the standard provisions stipulated in CA’s TV rights contract.

However, the Big Bash has already secured the services of former South African captain Faf du Plessis, while Australian stars Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon and Alex Carey have also signed for their respective BBL franchises.

“Just as important as overseas players is the best local players,” Big Bash League boss Alistair Dobson said.

“This season there looks like there‘s a window towards the back end where we’re really hopeful that a lot of those players will be able to play a couple of games and we’re working with our clubs to ensure they’re clear on the schedule.”