Melbourne, May 26 (PTI) Cricket Australia's hopes of attracting some star power in the inaugural edition of Big Bash in absence of its international players has suffered a blow as former Aussie wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist said his participation in the league is "highly unlikely".
Most of Australia's international players will be unavailable for the league's early seasons, so CA desperately needs marketable cricketers to promote the event.
Gilchrist, who has just returned to Australia from the Indian Premier League after leading Kings XI Punjab to the brink of the play-offs, is not comfortable with the December-January time slot.
"The time of year that it (Big Bash) is on makes it unlikely for me," said Gilchrist.
"One of the main reasons I gave up full-time cricket was because I wanted to spend more time with my family, and that Christmas and New Year period is like gold in that respect.