Out of favour Australian all-rounder, James Faulkner is pondering his options of whether to return with the Hobart Hurricanes in the 11th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) or target other domestic T20 leagues across the world following his exceptional performance in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The left-arm pacer had a sensational time with the ball during the PSL and bagged played six games for the Lahore Qalandars in the second leg of the PSL bagged 13 wickets at an economy rate of 6.50. He also chipped in with 90 crucial runs in the lower order which came in just 53 balls.
With the BBL clubs still under a contracting embargo and with several offers from foreign T20 leagues in line, Faulkner might choose the latter. During an interview with cricket.com.au, Faulkner said that he will be sit down and discuss with his manager on his future decisions.
Last year, Channel Seven had threatened to withdraw as the broadcasting partner as it was expected that several big names will miss out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While that was solved for the last year with the tournament being conducted as planned, all the clubs are again under a contracting embargo.
Speaking on his prospect of playing other T20 leagues Faulkner said, "It's something my manager and I will sit down and look at with all the leagues going on around the world.” The medium-pacer is currently going through his 14 day mandatory quarantine period after the PSL.
"(Joining the T20 circuit) is probably the most realistic thing for me to be doing, I know I'm not going to be playing Test cricket again, or four-day cricket either.
"There's potential for one-day cricket but after having a couple of months off after the last Big Bash, then going into the PSL and playing six games in 10 days and performing reasonably as well, I got a lot of confidence out of that.
"That's probably the angle that I'll go at. I've got to weigh up what offers are on the table and map it out,” Faulkner said.
The all-rounder last played a BBL match in December against the Brisbane Heat. He had to limp off the field only four overs into his second over at the Gabba. Having aggravated the injury at training, Faulkner was ruled out of the rest of the tournament.