PERTH, Australia, CMC- Perth Scorchers have confirmed that West Indies allrounder, Dwayne Smith, will miss their opening game of the Big Bash League 2013-14 today. The franchise made its disclosure following reports from the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) that Smith had pulled out of the (BBL), Australia’s premier T20 tournament. Smith, one of the Scorchers’ two overseas signings, has not travelled to Australia due to personal reasons, and his availability for the remainder of the season is in doubt. “Dwayne Smith will miss this weekend’s opening round of BBL … due to personal reasons which have prevented him from travelling to Australia,” the Scorchers said. “Details regarding his availability for subsequent matches will be advised in due course. The Scorchers and Smith’s management are working through this situation and advise that it is inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.” Smith was due to leave Barbados earlier this week for London enroute to Australia but has remained in Bridgetown after reportedly making two trips to the airport.
BCA’s website, BCAcricket.org. quoting well placed sources, reported that Smith in one instance ‘dramatically asked airline officials to disembark the aircraft’ when it was on the runway at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).
Justin Langer, the Scorchers’ coach, said the team would have to “work around” Smith’s absence.
“He has personal problems back in Barbados. I can understand it from his point of view, but it’s frustrating that we only found out two days ago,” Langer was quoted as saying by Australian papers. “We’re just going to have to work our way around that and do the best we can without him.
“We’re working closely with his management group to see when he can arrive. I think he is going through some tough times at home, so there is some doubt [if he will play at all].” The Scorchers take on the Brisbane Heat in an away game for their campaign opener before playing their first home match, against Melbourne Renegades, on Boxing Day.
Their other overseas signing is South Africa pacer Alfonso Thomas.
