Monday 19 October 2015 09:23, UK
David Willey has withdrawn from this winter's England Lions tour so he can play in Australia's Big Bash Twenty20 competition with Perch Scorchers.
Willey made the breakthrough into England's ODI and T20 squads last summer with some magnificent displays with bat and ball for Northamptonshire.
He has since signed a three-year contract with County Champions Yorkshire.
Willey had been named in the England Lions tour of the UAE where they will play five T20 matches against Pakistan 'A'.
Scorchers coach Justin Langer told the club's official website: "David Willey is an up-and-coming, hungry, hard-working young player who will hopefully provide with some power hitting in the middle overs.
"He offers left-arm swing bowling and has showed how well he can do that against the Australians in the one-dayers a few months ago.
"He's also a gun fielder and is renowned for his work ethic and character. It's a really good package."
The ECB added: "The move ... will give the former Northamptonshire player a winter season of competitive white-ball cricket and support his continued development for England and Yorkshire.
"He has therefore been withdrawn from the England Lions Twenty20 squad to play against Pakistan A in the United Arab Emirates in December, and will be unavailable to be selected for the Lions' five-match one-day series against Pakistan A in January 2016."
ECB director Andrew Strauss added: "This is an excellent opportunity for David.
"It will be the ideal preparation for him leading into the ICC World T20 in India next year - giving him the chance to focus on the T20 format for an extended period of time, and improve his skills accordingly."
