WBBL 2020: Sydney Sixers fined AUD 25,000 for picking a player in the XI despite not naming her in the 15-member squad

Sydney Sixers, the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) franchise, have been fined for AUD 25,000 of which AUD15,000 was suspended for one year due to an administrative error in the ongoing season. Fast bowler Hayley Silver-Holmes was picked in the playing XI for the game against Melbourne Renegades despite not being named in the 15-member squad released before the game.

Silver-Holmes was earlier ruled out of the clash due to a foot injury and was replaced by Alisha Bates. However, the former recovered just in time ahead of the Sixers’ crucial game against the Renegades. As the team sought her return to the squad, it was still pending approval from WBBL’s technical committee. The Ellyse Perry-led team batted first and posted 166 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets even as Silver-Holmes didn’t get a chance to bat.

However, the team got to know about the breach of rules after the game started and they duly pulled out Hayley Silver-Holmes out of the team. She didn’t bowl in the second innings which, in turn, affected the balance of the side and Sixers ended up losing the game. Cricket Australia‘s Senior Conduct Commissioner, Alan Sullivan QC, termed it as a serious violation.

Sydney Sixers self-reported the violation

Sullivan, however, also noted that the franchise itself reported the violation and the fact that they lost the game, the penalty of AUD 50,000 and additional sanctions were not deemed appropriate. “Cricket Australia places a significant emphasis on the integrity of all competitions, including the compliance with its player contracting rules and regulations.

“This breach by the Sydney Sixers, while serious in nature, had a reduced impact due to the Club’s actions during last night’s game. As such, we support the findings of Alan Sullivan QC, including the suspension of $15,000 of the $25,000 fine imposed,” Sean Carroll, CA’s Head of Integrity and Security said according to Cricbuzz. The Sydney Sixers General Manager Jodie Hawkins regretted the error made and hoped that processes are put in place.

“We made a regrettable administrative error for which there are understandably stringent rules. We were given a fair opportunity to present our case in the hearing and accept the findings and sanction. As a club we will learn from this and put processes in place for the future,” Jodie said.