Travis Head Poised to Skip BBL to Prioritize T20 World Cup Readiness

Overview

• Head said he is "probably unlikely" to play for the Adelaide Strikers, emphasizing the emotional toll of the Ashes and the need to enter February's World Cup fresh.
• The BBL season, which began on December 14, again overlaps with Australia's international calendar because it lacks an exclusive window.
• Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood may also bypass the competition as they manage back and hamstring/Achilles issues in the lead-up to the tournament.
• Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been withdrawn for the rest of the BBL with a knee issue after the PCB recalled him to manage his recovery for the World Cup.
• Head has not featured for the Strikers since 2022–23 and has recently prioritized international duty and the IPL, where he plays a leading role for SunRisers Hyderabad.