Stanlake opts out of T20 deal with Yorkshire

Australia speedster Billy Stanlake has been withdrawn from his county stint with Yorkshire to focus on national commitments in the longest format of the game.

Australia speedster Billy Stanlake has been withdrawn from his county stint with Yorkshire to focus on national commitments in the longest format of the game.

The 23-year-old Aussie had signed with Yorkshire for minimum 12 games in the Vitality T20 Blast but newly appointed Head Coach Justin Langer wants him to shift his focus towards the red-ball cricket as he believes Stanlake has the potential to a make a mark in the traditional format.

"They've pulled him out of our deal, which is obviously very disappointing for us," said Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

"Now the new Australia coach is in place, they want him to play some different cricket to T20 during the period he was due to be with us," he added.

Stanlake, who is centrally contracted with Cricket Australia, sustained a fractured finger p[laying for Sunrisers Hyderabad, forcing him to end his campaign mid-way. The speedster returned to the nets last Friday.

The 6’6” tall pacer is set to train with Queensland Bulls and could feature in Sheffield Shield later this year in his native country.