A raft of Australian cricket stars contracted to teams in The Hundred, the ECB’s new short-form competition, look set to miss the second half of the tournament to join a national training camp ahead of a series against Zimbabwe.
It could leave the ECB needing to replace at least six of the 24 overseas players currently contracted to the eight teams.
They were picked up at October’s draft, alongside players from Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, South Africa, Nepal and the West Indies.
10 Australians were picked, but not all of them are currently in favour with the national selectors. David Warner (Southern Brave), Aaron Finch (Northern Superchargers), Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc (both West Fire) are among those most likely to be affected.
Australia's players will have to report back for international duty by August 4, with The Hundred set to begin on July 17.
"We have been delighted at the strong level of interest The Hundred has received globally with many of the world’s best cricketers taking part in this year’s competition,” said an ECB spokesperson.
"We have been in continued dialogue with Cricket Australia over the past weeks as they finalise their schedule with Zimbabwe.
"The Australian players selected in the squad for that series will be asked by Cricket Australia to report back by 4th August. As a result they will be available for the first 5 or 6 matches of The Hundred.
"Teams will have the ability to replace players [from the draft list] who are unavailable in due course. We will be excited to welcome additional international stars to The Hundred alongside the world-class cricketers who will be available to play throughout the first season.”
England Lions remain unbeaten on their tour of Australia, following their 52-run win in the fifth unofficial ODI, against a New South Wales XI.
