EXCLUSIVE The behind-the-scenes story of Steve Smith's 'utterly bonkers' ban from BBL finals as Cricket NSW chief blows up, via tommorris32:
The Sixers argue they did everything by the book.
At this point, the Sixers could have nominated Smith. But had they done so, it would have risked another franchise choosing him if they had an opening first. Additionally, the Sixers and Smith did not consider him a chance to play given the tight turnaround between the Ashes and the ODI series against New Zealand.
Ellyse Perry bowled to Sachin Tendulkar, Justin Langer opened the batting, and Brian Lara flew in from the West Indies. $7.8 million was raised. The Sydney Sixers rejected the Stars request, telling CA they had earned the right to host the final and would not allow the match to be shifted. “If we are serious about the BBL being fan-facing and a wonderful competition and we have Smith, who wants to play, and is the vice-captain of Australia and can play, it just doesn’t make sense. The players and myself and the club are hugely frustrated and disappointed.”
“I don’t think it’s reasonable for states to 100 per cent agree on this type of thing,” Germon continued.“The Hobart day-night Test changed times which clashed with the BBL derby. CA asked our opinion and we said we’d prefer the derby stays as is, which would give the derby two hours clear air. Or maybe it is a money-making exercise that has already lost many of its core principles just 11 years into its existence?
“One of the criticisms of the Big Bash when you look at it, having played in a lot of overseas competitions, all the other competitions have the best local players playing.