Sydney Sixers have managed to reach the final of the Big Bash League (BBL 11) despite all the challenges. They found it difficult to come out with the best playing eleven with COVID-19 affecting their players.
Ahead of the match on Wednesday (January 26) against Adelaide Strikers, Sydney had to name their assistant coach Jay Lenton as the replacement for Josh Phillipe for the match. Phillipe missed the match due to the COVID-19 virus.
On Thursday, All-rounder Dan Christian dropped a hilarious tweet to show their struggle through humor. He also took a dig at Cricket Australia (CA) for not allowing Steve Smith to play for them in the knockouts.
Smith was deemed ineligible by CA because replacements can only come from a Local Replacement Player pool, created due to COVID-19 concerns in early January.
“Shout out to anyone* in Melbourne that wants a game of cricket tomorrow night. My team is struggling to get 11 covid free, fit players on the park. Warm-up starts at 6.30pm at Marvel Stadium," Christian wrote via his official account.
“Free beer afterward, potentially out of a large cup. DM if keen. *no test cricketers," added Christian in the same post.
Sydney are worried for the BBL 11 final after their team members including Daniel Hughes (leg injury), captain Moises Henriques (hamstring injury), Jordan Silk (hamstring injury), Steve O’Keefe (calf injury), Josh Philippe, Mickey, and Jack Edwards (Covid-19 positive) are uncertain to play the last match.
While fans were in splits, cricketers, including AB de Villiers and Jofra Archer also reacted to Christian's tweet. Here are the posts: