David Warner decides to not take part in The Hundred

In the wake of the Corona threat, many sporting events in Europe has got affected. The virus has had its worst effect in the region. In this time, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is under some pressure regarding organising their new league this season.

ECB was planning to host the inaugural season of the Hundred, a franchise-based tournament with matches of 100 balls per innings format. The tournament was scheduled to start in July and go till mid-August. However, the international emergency there are clouds looming the league’s launch.

Australian batsman David Warner has decided not to take part in the inaugural season even after being picked by a team. During the draft, the Southampton-based Southern Brave secured the services of the Aussie star. He was picked up for the maximum fee of €125,000 for the inaugural season.

The left-handed batsman is an excellent player in the shortest format and it was obvious he was going to be a hot favourite at the newest short-format league. It could seem that Warner’s decision is due to the COVID-19 threat but that apparently isn’t the case.

It has been reported that Warner’s manager James Erskine has clarified that he Aussie batsman hasn’t taken this decision basing upon the recent happenings of the coronavirus outbreak. According to his manager, Warner has decided to quit the league in order to be available for an ODI series for Australia. The five-time world champions are scheduled to play an ODI series against Zimbabwe at home in August.

Other Australian players could also skip the first edition of the Hundred

The Hundred will run between July 17 and August 15. Erskine said that his availability in the Hundred would affect his training for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. The series is likely to be held in the North Queensland and Northern Territory in August.

Going by the rumour mill, many Australian players are likely to skip the league. Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Chris Lynn, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dan Christian, Adam Zampa and D’Arcy Short are other Australian players who have contracts in the Hundred.

Though Warner quit for different reasons, we can expect these Aussies to also follow the suit due to the COVID-19 threat. For now, Warner and his 17 Aussie teammates are waiting for the IPL to start. The 13th edition of the tournament has pushed back till April 15.