It could be a case of third time lucky for Sydney Sixers as the injury-riddled BBL club prepare to send another SOS to Cricket Australia, asking for Steven Smith to return in Friday night's final against the Perth Scorchers.
Sixers attempted to sign former skipper Smith for the entire finals series, only for CA to block the move after rival state associations raised objections. They tried again prior to Wednesday night's Challenger final because Josh Philippe contracted Covid-19 but failed, having to send out assistant coach Jay Lenton instead.
And they are almost certain to ask the question yet again after a dramatic final-ball win over Adelaide at the SCG, where young gun Hayden Kerr finished 98 not out.
Steve O'Keefe (calf), Jordan Silk (hamstring) and captain Moises Henriques (calf) suffered fresh injuries on Wednesday night, while Daniel Hughes (ankle) failed a pre-match fitness test. Philippe will miss the title-deciding clash with the Scorchers at Marvel Stadium.
Brothers Jack and Mickey Edwards will be on the final night of their isolation period, meaning they will also remain unavailable unless the Victoria government provide an exemption.
A glut of enforced omissions could potentially result in a CA rethink regarding Smith, who was expecting to be part of a limited-overs series against New Zealand that was ultimately postponed.
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.
Free beer afterwards, potentially out of a large cup.
DM if keen
*no test cricketers
— Dan Christian (@danchristian54) January 27, 2022
The issue is set to be discussed by powerbrokers on Thursday, when the depleted Sixers head south for their fifth title-deciding showdown with Perth.
Henriques, speaking to Fox Sports on Wednesday night, remained unsure whether he will be fit to face the Scorchers.
"I have no idea. It's going to have to be a bloody bad calf for me not to play," Henriques said. "Flight tomorrow won't be amazing. We'll see what happens. I'll just hobble around like an old bloke. I've been doing that all year anyway."
Henriques, who is among several Sixers to have publicly bemoaned Smith's absence, hit out at BBL administrators while defending his club's decision to retire Silk.
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