Peter Siddle, Samit Patel barred from playing in T20 Blast 2026 due to participation in 'disapproved' league

Former Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle and England spin-bowling all-rounder Samit Patel have been barred from playing in the T20 Blast in 2026 due to their participation in a 'disapproved' league for retired players in Goa earlier this year.

ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) regulations state that players are ineligible to play county tournaments if they have featured in any "disapproved cricket" in the 12 months prior to the commencement of a particular season. Siddle and Patel both had stints in the World Legends Pro T20 League in January-February, which is considered 'disapproved' as it was not sanctioned by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), which was the host board.

The 41-year-old Siddle was set to represent Nottinghamshire in the Blast as an overseas player. However, the county confirmed on Tuesday, April 21, that his deal has now collapsed due to his "personal circumstances". Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, said the club were "naturally disappointed" but will look to find a suitable replacement for the Traralgon-born.

Patel, on the other hand, has not signed a contract since he parted ways with Derbyshire at the end of the previous edition of the Blast in 2025. He had been actively looking for a county, but according to ESPNcricinfo, he has accepted the ECB's directive and let go of his aspirations of playing in the T20 tournament this summer.

Patel and Ravi Bopara are the only two players who have featured in every edition of the T20 Blast since its inception in 2003. However, neither of them will be a part of this year's event. Bopara drew curtains on his county career last month to focus on his coaching and media commitments.

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T20 Blast 2026 is scheduled to run from May 26 to July 18 this year. The domestic T20 competition will feature 18 teams, with Somerset being the defending champions, having lifted their third title last year.