The semi-finals and final of the Blast are all staged on the same day but player availability has been limited this year by a clash with England’s series against India. The third ODI takes place in Manchester on Sunday, barely 12 hours after the final is scheduled to finish in Birmingham.
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The ODI series had initially been due to finish on July 14 at Lord’s, which would have allowed any England players involved to appear for their counties on Finals Day. But the rescheduled fifth Test from last summer’s series squeezed the white-ball leg of the series into a shorter window, prompting a clash with the knockout stages of the Blast.
Brook, Salt and Parkinson remain available for the third ODI but England are expected to name an unchanged side. “The trio will travel to Edgbaston today to join their respective counties before returning to the England squad ahead of the third Royal London International at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday,” the ECB said in a statement.
Willey’s absence will be particularly painful for Yorkshire since he is their T20 captain. Having signed a four-year deal with Northants from the end of this season, it is likely that last week’s quarter-final against Surrey was his last game for the club.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo