Melbourne: Former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist thinks batsman David Warner could land a lucrative Big Bash League (BBL) Cricket Australia (CA) contract could become a ‘headache’ for the body leader of the sport in the country, given that several stalwarts may feel left out by the move.
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It has been reported that Warner is set to sign a multi-million deal with Sydney Thunder to play in the BBL this season. A Sydney Morning Herald report had recently said that Warner would be handed a lucrative contract by CA, similar to that offered to stars such as the late Shane Warne, Mike Hussey and Shane Watson and former England hitter Kevin Pietersen in the first years of the BBL.
The report had said the package could be worth at least AUD 340,000, the same prize offered to top overseas players in the Big Bash draft, due later this month. Part of Warner’s salary will be paid by Sydney Thunder, while the majority will be covered by CA.
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While Gilchrist is happy with Warner’s likely return to BBL this summer, he said references from stalwarts like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis shouldn’t be ignored and they should be offered similar lucrative deals.
“He (Warner) is potentially going to play a handful of games (for Thunder) – it’s wonderful for our tournament, for our broadcast, for the spectators, for everyone,” Gilchrist said on SEN’s Whateley.
“It creates a headache, a real headache, and they (Cricket Australia) are clearly aware of that, for guys like (Glenn) Maxwell and (Marcus) Stoinis and Co who have been absolute stalwarts in the Big Bash, having managed to first let it rise and then keep it alive for the past few years.
“Will they get more? Is there a war chest there that they can fill and how do you view each individual candidate, if you will, Australian talent looking for extra money?
“But it’s a positive step,” Gilchrist added.
One of the BBL’s top players, Chris Lynn, looks set to play in the UAE T20 League after being offered AUD 700,000 for the tournament early next year. Lynn does not have a BBL club after parting ways with the Brisbane Heat.
Gilchrist thinks CA should allow Lynn to play in the UAE if he doesn’t receive an Australian contract.
“I still don’t quite understand how Chris Lynn can be denied the opportunity to go and play in the UAE. Maybe if he signs with a Big Bash team, maybe because he’s Australian under an Australian contract system they could deny it.But I don’t understand how they can get a grip on him if he doesn’t play in the Big Bash but moves to the UAE.
“He’s not under contract in any way in Australian cricket at the moment, I’m led to believe so I don’t know how they can get a hold of him.”
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