Steve Smith and David Warner to miss the 2019 Big Bash League

The ball-tampering scandal has left such a massive scar on the likes of David Warner and Steve Smith that they have now been shunned even by their own domestic cricketing franchises in the Big Bash League. Smith, who is currently contracted by the Sydney Sixers and Warner with the Sydney Thunder have continued to be banned for the tournament as well.

Kim McConnie, the head of the BBL administration has also gone ahead and stated the board will not compromise for the sake of these two players as they will continue the ban. “Both players have done a really good job and accepted the ruling from Cricket Australia, and they won’t be appearing in the BBL this season,” McConnie told AAP.

Shane Watson disappointed

While the boards seem rigid in enforcing the ban on both players, former Australian cricketer Shane Watson believes that the ban is a bit too extreme and rather unwanted when it comes to the domestic circuit at least. He also went on to add that cricketers did love the Big Bash and that they had every right to promote the league as much as possible. Watson was a part of the Chenai Super Kings side that won the IPL 2018 title.

“I think every player who plays cricket, we love to think that they talk about the Big Bash and promote the tournament. But beyond being cricket players themselves that have a love of the format, there’ll be no formal relationship.”

Watson also stated disappointment at the duo promoting leagues such as the Global Canada T20 League. “The thing that just disappoints me about the whole situation is now Steve Smith and Dave Warner are over promoting other tournaments by playing in them,” Watson said.

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