Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will participate in the opening match of the BBL, according to Cricket Australia. The Brisbane Heat were forced to forfeit four players due to Prime Minister’s XI responsibilities.
Heat announced on Friday that Khawaja and Labuschagne would play their opening-round match on December 7 against the Melbourne Stars.
On December 9, in Adelaide, the day the Test team is scheduled to report to camp in Perth, the two players may also have an opportunity to participate in the Heat’s second game.
The players may finally make that option because the Heat don’t want to jeopardize their preparations for the first Test against Pakistan on December 14.
Terry Svenson, CEO of Brisbane Heat, stated, “We are delighted to confirm Usman and Marnus’s availability for the Big Bash League opening night.”
“It’s fantastic that our home fans can watch both players in action to start the season; they’ve had amazing years in the World Test Championship, the Ashes, and Australia’s recent World Cup success.
“Both Usman and Marnus are passionate about playing for Heat and I’m sure our fans will be looking forward to seeing them both in teal before the Test summer begins.”
The Heat lost four players to PM’s starting XI, hence the decision was made to clear the pair to play at the beginning of the BBL. This week, it was confirmed that Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw, Jimmy Peirson, and Nathan McSweeney would be playing for the PM in the four-day tournament that begins in Canberra on December 6.
The AAP is aware that Cricket Australia and the clubs, who feared losing their star players to the tour match, were at odds over the choices made for the PM’s game.
Mark Steketee and Beau Webster have both been ruled out of the Stars’ team for the tournament’s opening match; however, Australian white-ball players Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, who returned from India a few days prior, will be available.
Todd Murphy will also be lost by the Sixers as a result of the PM’s XI selection versus the Melbourne Renegades; at this point, no other clubs are affected.
