David Willey cancels Big Bash contract with Sydney Thunder

England allrounder Willey was the club's platinum signing in the overseas draft earlier this year but he will no longer be teaming up with Thunder for BBL12, following the mutual decision between player and management

David Willey will not feature in the Big Bash this season after coming to an agreement to cancel his contract with Sydney Thunder.

England allrounder Willey was the club's platinum signing in the overseas draft earlier this year but he will no longer be teaming up with Thunder for BBL12, following the mutual decision between player and management.

The 32-year-old was part of England's T20 World Cup squad, though he did not play for the champions during the tournament, and has stayed on in Australia for three one-day internationals over the coming week.

Head of Sydney Thunder, Andrew Gilchrist, said: "David and his management have been tremendous to deal with.

^{David Willey will not play in the Big Bash [Getty Images]}

"Sydney Thunder regrets David won't be playing for us this season, but we wish him and his family all the very best for the future."

Thunder are able to recruit a replacement from the players who made themselves available for the overseas draft. Cricket Australia could permit a new face in special circumstances. 

The Big Bash is facing increasing pressure to compete for status and attention in the world of franchise cricket, and Willey's withdrawal will be seen as a blow to the competition.

The BBL is already set to lose high-profile players including Liam Livingstone and Alex Hales midway through the season, with the International League T20 in the UAE and South Africa's new SA20 event challenging for position in the pecking order.

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