Don't think I'll play BBL while I'm playing for Australia, says David Warner

Australia's opening batsman David Warner has said he will not play in the Big Bash League (BBL) as long as he plays international cricket.

When BBL commence in 2011, Warner was considered as one of the major stars in the tournament. However, his Australia career began to take off around the same time and the Sydney player has not appeared in the BBL in the past seven years.

"It's difficult for us players to play all three forms, even if there is a window, you've got to have that break, because you're going full tilt into summer as well, there's no off-season for us. Personally, I've got three kids at home and a wife that I owe my time to as well. So, playing all three forms, that's very difficult to be able to do that, and I don't think I'll play while I'm playing for Australia still -- that's honestly speaking," ESPNCricinfo quoted Warner as saying.

Last week, Cricket Australia introduced three new rule innovations (Power Surge, X-Factor Player, and Bash Boost) that will be implemented in the upcoming edition of BBL.

Reacting to these changes, Warner added," I think the most important thing is if you can get the Australian players and the best international players coming out to play in that, that would probably fix that sort of issue with what they're trying to tinker with the rules. The rules that have come out, I understand the reasoning why they're bringing it out. Do we need to tinker with it? Personally, I don't think we do, I think it's just about getting the right people to come out and play, the right access to players to play, the Australian contracted players."

Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday that Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney will host the majority of the BBL action in the upcoming 2020-21 campaign. Provided the public health situation and border restrictions rules, every club will play in front of their home fans this summer. Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers will lock horns in the tournament opener on Dec. 10.