David Warner wants to skip the BBL this season, according to a report.
Peter Lalor, the chief cricket writer at The Australian, understands Warner has sought permission to play in the inaugural season of the United Arab Emirates T20 league.
The new cashed-up UAE franchise competition is set to clash with the BBL between January 6 and February 12 in 2023.
Three IPL franchises – the Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals – have all invested in teams in the UAE T20 league.
Warner’s decision is a blow to Cricket Australia’s plans to have its Test stars available for BBL|12.
Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist is becoming concerned by the IPL’s monopolisation of global T20 competitions.
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“I think it would almost be commercial suicide for them (Cricket Australia) to allow a player like him (Warner) to go head-to-head up against their own competition,” Gilchrist told SEN’s Whateley.
“They can’t force David Warner to play in the BBL, I understand that, but to let him then go off – or another player, let’s not single out Warner because there will be other players on the radar – it’s all part of this global dominance that these IPL franchises are starting to create given they own a number of teams in the Caribbean Premier League. They own all six teams I believe in the new South African tournament that’s coming up, which will be locking horns for commercial space and airtime with the Big Bash.
“It’s getting a little bit dangerous the grip that it’s having to monopolise that ownership and the ownership of the players and their talents and where they can and can’t play.
“David Warner, again, using him as an example, we can’t question his commitment to Australian cricket over the years, he’s carved out one of the great careers.
“If he rides off into the sunset and says, ‘Sorry Australian cricket, I’m going to become a gun for hire for my Indian franchise team in various tournaments’ you can’t question him on that, that’s his prerogative and he’s done everything he needs to get the profile and get that market value.
“It’s the new younger player coming in that starts to make those noises where it’ll be really challenging.
“Perhaps it’s the first example where David Warner doesn’t sign a contract with Cricket Australia at all, he just plays for a match fee.
“He goes and plays whatever he wants but says, ‘I’m available for every Test match, for every one-day international and every T20 international’ by way of example, I’ll be there for you in national colours.
“But other than that, I’m going to play my club, my franchise cricket, wherever I want to knowing that none of those big tournaments will be clashing with international cricket.”
Warner, 35, last played in the BBL in 2013.
The 96-Test veteran has starred for IPL franchises Sunrisers Hydrabad and Delhi Capitals for over a decade.