Australia's star batsman Steve Smith has ruled out his participation in the Big Bash League for Sydney Sixers, citing concerns over prolonged stay in bio-secure bubbles in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Steve Smith joined Sydney Sixers after international commitments last year and led the team to title but the former Australia captain has said there is 'absolutely no chance' he would participate in BBL, starting December 3 in Australia. Other star players, including David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are likely to follow suit, according to reports.
Steve Smith, in September, was part of Australia's limited-overs tour of England, which marked the resumption of international cricket for Australian men's team following the enforced break due to the pandemic. Smith along with his Australian teammates left for the UAE a day after the completion of the limited-overs tour of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
At IPL 2020, all the players and support staff were in quarantine before entering bio-secure bubbles in the UAE. The players have been following umpteen protocols, limiting physical interaction with fellow teammates. In fact, only a few have travelled to the UAE with their families.
"I'll be honest with you - absolutely no chance," Smith said when asked about his chances of playing in the BBL when speaking to News Corp.
Smith wants players, coaches and management to have open conversations
While the bio-bubbles are a necessity in the wake of the pandemic, concerns over mental fatigue have been raised ever since international cricket resumed in the new normal with the series between West Indies and England. Jason Holder had spoken about the difficulties of being in a bio-bubble for weeks while Jofra Archer also expressed reservations about spending time in the bubbles earlier this month.
Steve Smith said players, coaches and the team managements should have open conversations about the demands of bio-secure bubbles and the need to give players adequate breaks while also keeping in mind the selection issues.
"It's still early days with the bubbles. We don't know how long it's going to last for. There's an uncertainty there. It's just going to be about having open conversations with coaches, general managers, whoever, to ensure that people are keeping their head space in a reasonable place.
"Then there's obviously going to be questions around selection. If someone takes some time off because they've been in the bubble for a long time and then someone comes in and plays well, do they take their spot?
"When guys are starting to find things a bit tough mentally from just living in the bubble, being able to get out - even if it might just be a few days of being normal might be a real help. Those conversations need to be had," Smith said.
https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...ure-bubbles-mental-fatigue-1736585-2020-10-30
---------
But Starc is not playing IPL.
Steve Smith joined Sydney Sixers after international commitments last year and led the team to title but the former Australia captain has said there is 'absolutely no chance' he would participate in BBL, starting December 3 in Australia. Other star players, including David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are likely to follow suit, according to reports.
Steve Smith, in September, was part of Australia's limited-overs tour of England, which marked the resumption of international cricket for Australian men's team following the enforced break due to the pandemic. Smith along with his Australian teammates left for the UAE a day after the completion of the limited-overs tour of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
At IPL 2020, all the players and support staff were in quarantine before entering bio-secure bubbles in the UAE. The players have been following umpteen protocols, limiting physical interaction with fellow teammates. In fact, only a few have travelled to the UAE with their families.
"I'll be honest with you - absolutely no chance," Smith said when asked about his chances of playing in the BBL when speaking to News Corp.
Smith wants players, coaches and management to have open conversations
While the bio-bubbles are a necessity in the wake of the pandemic, concerns over mental fatigue have been raised ever since international cricket resumed in the new normal with the series between West Indies and England. Jason Holder had spoken about the difficulties of being in a bio-bubble for weeks while Jofra Archer also expressed reservations about spending time in the bubbles earlier this month.
Steve Smith said players, coaches and the team managements should have open conversations about the demands of bio-secure bubbles and the need to give players adequate breaks while also keeping in mind the selection issues.
"It's still early days with the bubbles. We don't know how long it's going to last for. There's an uncertainty there. It's just going to be about having open conversations with coaches, general managers, whoever, to ensure that people are keeping their head space in a reasonable place.
"Then there's obviously going to be questions around selection. If someone takes some time off because they've been in the bubble for a long time and then someone comes in and plays well, do they take their spot?
"When guys are starting to find things a bit tough mentally from just living in the bubble, being able to get out - even if it might just be a few days of being normal might be a real help. Those conversations need to be had," Smith said.
https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...ure-bubbles-mental-fatigue-1736585-2020-10-30
---------
But Starc is not playing IPL.
Last edited by a moderator:
. 
