The swashbuckling Australia opener, David Warner has cited a scheduling clash and family time as the reasons behind his decision to withdraw from the inaugural edition of The Hundred in the UK later this year. The first of its kind tournament is a brainchild of England and Wales Cricket Board to make the game more appalling to the fans.
The news will come as a massive blow to The Hundred organisers as Warner is expected to attract massive turnouts. It will be a massive surprise after David Warner’s manager has revealed the southpaw’s desire to participate in the Indian Premier League, which was postponed until April 15 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Read More: Umar Akmal Faces Life Ban After Being Charged By PCB
Meanwhile, as per reports in cricket.com.au, Warner’s withdrawal from the tournament is unrelated to COVID-19. The report also stated that the dashing opener has intimated his decision of pulling out to the Hundred organiser earlier this month citing busy scheduling.
“I was excited to participate in The Hundred’s inaugural season with the Southern Braves, though with the latest updates to the Cricket Australia schedule in the middle part of 2020, and due to the exceptionally busy cricketing program over the last 12 months, I have decided to put my family first and spend this time of the year with them,” Warner said in a statement that was prepared prior to the coronavirus being declared a pandemic.
Read More: Sunil Chhetri Reveals Which IPL Team He Would Like To Represent
David Warner will instead make himself available for Australia’s currently unscheduled home limited-overs series with Zimbabwe, slated for August. He is the first marquee player to withdraw from The Hundred, with Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Aaron Finch, Adam Zampa, Dan Christian, Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, and Nathan Coulter-Nile the other Australians signed on to be involved.