NZ's Munro a no for Big Bash Final

The Sydney Sixers will be without New Zealand international Colin Munro for Saturday’s KFC Big Bash Final, with the Black Cap forced to return home due to one-day international duties.

Munro, signed on as a replacement player for England’s Sam Billings, is part of the Black Caps’ ODI squad to meet Australia in three Chappell-Hadlee series matches from Monday and had always been scheduled to fly home following the BBL|06 semi-finals, with New Zealand Cricket regulations not permitting international travel the day before a match.

The left-handed batsman, who scored a rapid 23 off 11 in last night’s semi-final at the Gabba, played three matches for the Sixers, posting 1 and 3 in his other two outings in magenta.

It leaves Michael Lumb as the sole international player in the Sixers ranks for the tournament final, with Big Bash League regulations stipulating that an overseas signing must have played at least one regular season match to qualify for the finals.

The Sixers aren’t the only team affected by the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee series, with the Scorchers losing the in-form Shaun Marsh for the decider at The Furnace, with the veteran recalled to the Australia ODI squad in place of Usman Khawaja, who is being rested ahead of the Qantas tour of India.

The Sixers travelled from Brisbane to Perth today and will train at the WACA Ground on Friday afternoon ahead of the Big Final.