Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle, fondly known as “Chacha” in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), has run into serious trouble after being ruled ineligible to play county cricket in England.
According to details, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has barred Siddle and English all-rounder Samit Patel from participating in this season’s T20 Blast.
The ban comes after both players took part earlier this year in the World Legends Pro T20 League held in Goa, which was deemed unauthorized as it did not have approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Under ECB regulations, any player who participates in an unapproved league within the past 12 months becomes ineligible to play county cricket.
The 41-year-old Siddle was set to represent Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, but the club has confirmed termination of his contract and expressed disappointment while indicating it will seek a replacement.
Meanwhile, Samit Patel, who parted ways with Derbyshire County Cricket Club after last season, had been searching for a new county. He has now accepted the ECB’s decision and abandoned hopes of playing this season.
Patel was among the few players who had featured in every county season since 2003, making this decision a significant interruption in his long career.
Similarly, in a same move recently PCB has imposed a one-year ban on Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka’s T20 team, over a breach of contract. As a result, Shanaka will not be able to participate in the upcoming PSL Season 12.
According to PCB, the action was taken after Shanaka breached the PSL player registration agreement. Reports say that on March 21, the Sri Lankan all-rounder unilaterally decided to withdraw from the tournament despite being part of the draft and contractual process.
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