Melbourne Stars allrounder James Faulkner says it’s a sign of how well his unbeaten BBL side is performing that they can drop a player as good as paceman Clint McKay.
McKay was named Australia’s one-day international player of the year last February and is in the national squad for the ODI series against England, which begins at the MCG on Sunday.
But, after being belted for 50 runs off his four overs against the Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, he has been left out of the Stars’ 13-man squad to play Adelaide at the MCG on Thursday night.
“Everyone knows what he can do,” Faulkner told reporters on Wednesday.
“Like I’ve said the whole tournament so far, it’s hard to get a spot for the Melbourne Stars while we’re so good.
“And we’ve been so good in this competition.”
The Stars’ squad still boasts a strong pace attack, including the competition’s leading wicket-taker Jackson Bird, Sri Lankan star Lasith Malinga, John Hastings and Faulkner.
Faulkner and Stars teammate Glenn Maxwell are also in Australia’s ODI squad, meaning the clash with the Strikers could be the last time the Stars are at full strength.
Having dominated their first four games, Faulkner said it was important to continue that form against Adelaide.
“We’ve shown so far we definitely are the team to beat,” he said.
“All positions we’ve been in we’ve come out on top.
“So there’s no reason we can’t do that tomorrow night and I suppose really send a big shockwave through the whole competition.”
The fourth-placed Strikers sustained their first loss of the season, against the Sydney Sixers, on Sunday night, but will climb to second spot if they upset the Stars.