Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Sydney Sixers beat Adelaide Strikers to book themselves a finals clash against Perth Scorchers in the eleventh edition of the Big Bash League. Hayden Kerr played a gem of an innings (98*) to power his team to the finals. However, Sydney Sixers are facing a player crisis with many of their players down with either injury or COVID-19.
Even in the semifinals clash against Strikers, the Sixers' assistant coach Jay Lenton took the wicketkeeping gloves in the absence of Josh Philippe. He also had to come to the crease for the final ball after Jordan Silk suffered a hamstring injury. With most of the players down and out, Sixers' all-rounder Dan Christian went on to make a bizarre request to cricket fans in Melbourne.
Christian took to Twitter to share a message for the fans in Melbourne and promised them a free beer if they fulfilled his request. "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. The warm-up starts at 6.30 pm at Marvel Stadium. Free beer afterward, potentially out of a large cup. DM if keen *no test cricketers," tweeted Christian.
AB de Villiers and Jofra Archer respond
Christian's requests attracted many reactions from cricket fans across the world. However, what caught the attention of cricket fans was the replies from South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers and England pacer Jofra Archer. Both the players left a cheeky reply to Christian's request. While de Villiers demanded to bowl 4 overs, Archer had a question for Christian.
"I’m keen if u can guarantee me my 4 overs?," wrote de Villiers while Archer asked, "Do I have to pay subs?"
Check both players' replies here:
Steve Smith can join Sixers' squad
Amid a player crisis, the Sixers are trying desperately to field 11 players for the final face-off against Scorchers. And according to news.com.au, a source close to the Sixers revealed that the side hoped for Steve Smith to play in the final contest. Big Bash boss Alistair Dobson, however, has said that he would meet with the Sixers on Thursday and would decide on who could be signed in the team and also did not rule out granting Smith an exemption.
Earlier, Smith was barred from playing for Sixers by BBL officials as per the rule that prevented local signings from outside the central replacement player pool.
