Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Liam Livingstone opts out of BBL 12 season | Why did Liam Livingstone opt out of the BBL?
English middle-order swashbuckler Liam Livingstone has withdrawn from the upcoming 12th season of the Big Bash League (BBL) due to increasing international workload.
The 29-year-old was slated to turn up for the Melbourne Renegades for the first-half of the season. Then, he was supposed to head over to South Africa to represent MI Cape Town in the inaugural SA20 in January.
However, Livingstone has now opted out of the entirety of the BBL owing to his recent selection in the English Test squad for their series against Pakistan in December.
Melbourne Renegades lose platinum pick Liam Livingstone in BBL
The Melbourne Renegades had acquired him as their number one pick in the overseas players’ draft that was held in August. However, they made some contingency plans by signing Andre Russell on a four-game deal hoping that Livingstone will join them in the intervening period between the conclusion of the Test series vs Pakistan and the commencement of the SA20.
Renegades’ general manager James Rosengarten stated that they understood Livingstone’s decision. He explained that the club had been in regular contact with the player and his management in recent months to work out a plan that acts in the best interest of all the parties involved.
“We’ve already secured Andre Russell for the first four matches and know the match-winning ability he will add to our team,” Rosengarten was quoted in a report by ESPNcricinfo.
He added, “This news has allowed us to explore replacement options with greater availability beyond the first half of the tournament, and we look forward to being able to announce another big-name addition for the Renegades soon.”
Cricket Australia (CA) has made serious efforts to stimulate the BBL this year in the wake of the next TV rights negotiations that is set to conclude in 2024. However, the league is already suffering from an exodus of coveted overseas stars. Earlier, platinum pick all-rounder David Willey mutually terminated his contract with Sydney Thunder.
Glenn Maxwll’s leg injury has jeopardised his participation in the tournament as well whereas Perth Scorchers cancelled Englishman Laurie Evans’ deal after he tested positive for a banned ubstance following a routine anti-doping test in The Hundred this year.
