David Warner pulls out of The Hundred: Reports
Australian opener David Warner has pulled out of England's inaugural franchise league. According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, Warner's manager James Erskine stated that the move is not related to coronavirus pandemic. He also revealed that Warner withdrew from the league as he wanted to be available for Australia's ODI series against Zimbabwe later in the year. Here is more.
Warner and Smith were kept in the top bracket
Southampton-based Southern Brave drafted Warner for the month-long 100-ball competition. The southpaw emerged in the top bracket of the league's draft. Warner carried a reserve price of £125,000 alongside compatriot Steve Smith, fast bowler Mitchell Starc, West Indies batting star Chris Gayle, South African seamer Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga. A total of 570 players appeared in men's draft, including 239 overseas.
Warner has been in sublime form of late
Warner has been all guns blazing following his return from a year-long ban. The 33-year-old was the highest run-scorer in previous year's IPL edition, having scored 692 runs from 12 games at 69.20. Despite having a successful World Cup campaign, Warner's Ashes tour was disastrous. However, he bounced back with a blistering Test triple ton against Pakistan. He averages 62.33 across formats in 2020.
Warner is likely to feature in IPL 2020
The upcoming edition of IPL has been postponed from March 29 to April 15 after the Indian government imposed travel restrictions. Warner's manager confirmed that he will likely feature in the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League despite the coronavirus scare. However, the "human biosecurity emergency" declared by the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison puts the players' participation in doubt.
Warner is planning to play in IPL, says his manager
"If the IPL is on, David Warner's planning on going. If things change dramatically, which can happen in the space of an hour, the answer is you change your mind. It's no different to everybody else," Erskine was quoted as saying by The Age.
