David Warner is being given "less than a five per cent" chance of playing in the Big Bash this summer despite hopes a shorter fixture will help franchises recruit more big names.
Cricket Australia on Thursday announced a new finals system, which includes the introduction of a top five, at its unveiling of the draw for the 2019/20 tournament.
There is a window for Australia's international stars to play in the final week of the home and away season and finals though their availability will hinge on their workloads.
The governing body responded to criticism over the length of last year's event by making it more family-friendly, condensing the fixture so that the home and away season will fall almost entirely within the school holiday period.
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Finals will be played across the two weekends with the decider down for February 8. Overall, BBL09 will be seven days shorter than last season's edition despite the addition of two finals.
Warner, however, is highly unlikely of making a return to Australia's domestic Twenty20 event in favour of rest, despite interest from the Melbourne Stars.
David Warner is unlikely to play in the Big Bash League in 2019/20.Credit:AP
Warner, whose wife recently gave birth to the couple's third child, is in the midst of a busy stretch which has already seen him play abroad in the Indian Premier League and the World Cup, with the Ashes to come.
Australia has a busy summer with matches in all formats from the end of October through to mid March, including a one-day international series in India.
"The chances of him playing are slim due to the amount of cricket he might have played," Warner's manager James Erskine told the Herald.
"He he might play a bit of club cricket to keep his eye in but by the time he finishes the Ashes he'll be well dusted.
"Fox Sports and several teams want him but if I was a betting man my gut feeling would be there is less than a five per cent chance to play in the Big Bash.
"My advice to him has been rest. He's played IPL, World Cup, Ashes, then Tests here and the summer season. My advice to him is "don't burn yourself out" and I think that's the right advice. If someone comes up with an offer he can't refuse we'll look at it but we'll just see."
Former national coach Darren Lehmann, who is making his return to coaching with Brisbane Heat, is confident a shorter season will help land international stars. Brisbane are trying to woRead More – Source
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