Won’t play BBL while I’m playing for Australia: David Warner

David Warner, the Australia cricketer, doesn’t wish to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) at the time when he’s representing the national team. The 34-year-old has played only three games in the T20 tournament and hasn’t played ever since the third edition of the league. The veteran said that amidst a chock-a-block calendar, a player needs a break to get refreshed.

In the BBL matches he has played, he has scored 152 runs at an average and strike-rate of 76 and 180.95 respectively. The southpaw understands the importance of work-life balance and wants to spend time with his wife Candice and their three daughters.

I’ve got three kids at home and a wife, says David Warner

“It’s difficult for us players to play all three forms, even if there is a window, you’ve got to have that break because you’re going full tilt into summer as well, there’s no off-season for us,” Warner was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

“Personally, I’ve got three kids at home and a wife that I owe my time to as well. So, playing all three forms that’s very difficult to be able to do that, and I don’t think I’ll play while I’m playing for Australia still – that’s honestly speaking,” he added.

Warner’s most prolific BBL knock came back in December 2011, playing for the Sydney Sixers against the Melbourne Stars. In that game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the left-hander smashed 102 runs off 51 balls with six fours and as many sixes. Chasing 154, the Sixers won by six wickets and Warner got the Player of the Match award.

Warner is now set to be part of Australis’s home series against India. Also, the Aussies have tours of West Indies, England and South Africa in 2021. He admitted that spending time in the bio-secure bubble won’t be a cakewalk for him.

“It’s going to be very difficult to be able to do that. This last six months has been quite challenging in itself, getting used to these bubbles and trying to get used to not having the family with me,” Warner added.

Warner, recently, came back from the United Arb Emirates where he plied his trade for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.