Carlos rejects WICB deal, Big Bash looms

West Indies' World T20 hero Carlos Brathwaite could be set for a KFC Big Bash League starring role this summer after the big-hitting allrounder was one of three high-profile players to reject a central contract offer from the West Indies Cricket Board.

Brathwaite, who is twelfth man as the Windies close in on a rare Test victory against Pakistan in Sharjah, joined batsmen Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels in declining their national deals for the year ahead, adding another chapter to the ongoing discord between the WICB and its players.

The Barbadian shot to fame in April when he blazed four consecutive sixes from England's Ben Stokes to hand his side the unlikeliest of victories in the WT20 final, and immediately came onto BBL clubs' radars.

Brathwaite revealed in June that he had spoken with Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer, who was in the Caribbean at the time as interim Australia coach, adding that there were "a few offers on the table".

"It's a dream of mine," he said. "The Big Bash ... it'd be good to test my preparation and my skill against some of the better players in the world in their backyard in the T20 format.

"So looking forward to it, if available."

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The Scorchers have already signed England pair David Willey and Ian Bell for BBL|06, however with Willey expected to only be available for part of the tournament due to England’s tour of India, the franchise has room for an international replacement player.

As a like-for-like replacement for Willey, Brathwaite looms as that man, particularly now that he looks likely to be on the outer with the WICB.

In referring to that specific matter in July, Langer called out the potential problem.

"Guys like … Carlos Brathwaite, Jason Holder, if they are to play BBL they have to renege on playing for their countries," he said.

"It's courageous for people to do that. There's lots of talk and lots of speculation but in reality not a lot give up international cricket to come and play BBL.

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"You’ve seen controversy (around) Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo doing that, but (I'm) not sure some of those players starting off international careers or still playing international cricket would like to.

"Of course we'd like to have them – Carlos would be brilliant in the BBL

"He's like a giant, he whacks them, he bowls, he's a gun athlete, he fields, but to get him (to the Scorchers) he's got to sign off playing for the Windies.

"I wouldn't do that."

Sydney Sixers are also still to announce their international signings, and appear the main competition for the Scorchers regarding the signing of Brathwaite.

The Thunder and Strikers - who look likely to have England pair Eoin Morgan and Adil Rashid for only part of their seasons respectively - could also factor in the pursuit of the West Indian. 

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