BBL News This Week: Hurricanes confirm final two signings, imports arrive, Bird, Morris & Dwarshuis injuries
It’s been a busy week of cricket announcements in Tasmania with the Hobart Hurricanes also confirming their final two squad spots, while the injury carnage has not stopped with more updates.
NEW SIGNINGS
The Hurricanes confirmed their third import in Yorkshire all-rounder Jordan Thompson (pred $125k BWL/BAT).
Hobart’s release said: “Thompson, an excellent fielder, compliments the Hurricanes line-up having the ability to score with a high strike-rate at the back end of an innings with bat & middle-over skill with the ball.”
Thompson averaged 66.08 SC BBL points in the Vitality Blast, with six 100+ scores in 12 games. He typically batted 7-8 but was elevated to 3 for a few games with others out. He goes at a click with the bat, always getting a strike rate bonus if he reached 20+ runs and bowled in their middle orders but was expensive. Picked up points in the field with catches and run outs.
The Canes also picked up Tom Rogers ($68k BWL), who was with them previously, playing eight games for Hobart in BBL|09 before being a replacement player last season for the Sixers.
Hobart billed him as a bowling all-rounder in their release. Rogers said: “Hopefully, when I get the opportunity, I can contribute with both the bat and the ball this season, and help the team take that next step.”
Check out all the BBL|11 squads here.
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ARRIVALS
Afghan quartet Rashid Khan ($198k BWL), Zahir Khan ($95k BWL), Mohammad Nabi ($139k BAT/BWL) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman ($208k BWL) were all on the same flight and have touched in Sydney, so they’ll be good to go for Round 1.
There were some rumours of an Afghanistan series in Zimbabwe later in December and January which would’ve significantly impacted the quartet’s BBL availability but that’s been scrapped.
There’s also a bunch of imports who’ve arrived including Thompson, George Garton ($125k BAT/BWL), Unmukt Chand ($105k BAT), Reece Topley ($125k BWL), Joe Clarke ($112k BAT/WKP), Laurie Evans ($125k BAT), Colin Munro ($135k BAT), Ben Duckett ($125k WKP/BAT), Alex Hales ($183k BAT) and Tom Curran ($201k BWL/BAT).
INJURIES
It’s been carnage on this front this week. Tasmania coach Ali de Winter offered an update on Sixers fast bowler Jackson Bird ($119k BWL) who has an Achilles issue. He said: “His Achilles is coming along. He’ll play some Big Bash cricket… He’s coming along nicely.”
Scorchers quick Lance Morris ($62k BWL) injured his side in the Sheffield Shield. WA captain Sam Whiteman said: “The good news is it’s not too bad of a side strain so he should be back in a few weeks.”
Ben Dwarshuis ($181k BWL) also injured his side last week playing for the NSW Second XI, with Cricket NSW confirming he was not considered for their Marsh Cup game this week due to the injury which puts him in doubt for Round 1.
Oliver Davies ($74k BAT) fractured his thumb playing NSW Premier Cricket but told the Daily Telegraph: “Initially I was told it would be eight weeks of recovery but now I’ve been told 3 weeks which is really, really good news. Fingers crossed I only miss three Big Bash games.”
New Scorchers recruit Brydon Carse ($125k BWL) was ruled out of BBL|11 after injuring his knee on Saturday in the English Lions camp. He’s returned to the UK and not even been added to SuperCoach’s prices.
Will Sutherland ($73k BAT/BWL) tested positive to COVID-19 prior to Victoria’s Sheffield Shield game against NSW. He is fully vaccinated but will be required to quarantine for 10 days.
Check out Honeyball’s BBL injury list here.
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FORM GUIDE
Kurtis Patterson ($62k BAT) scored a Sheffield Shield century for NSW and is firming for the depleted Scorchers top order. Aaron Hardie ($103k BAT/BWL) also made good runs in the WA Premier Cricket T20s on Sunday with scores of 99* and 48. Alex Carey ($163k BAT/WKP) made 155 in SA Premier Cricket.
Renegades young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk ($65k BAT) has had a good week, scoring a century for the Victoria Second XI, making a Victoria Premier Cricket half-century and a quickfire 45 from 33 balls batting first drop in the Marsh Cup.
Potential Thunder opener Matthew Gilkes ($62k BAT/WKP) scored a half-century for NSW in that Marsh Cup too, while Sixers all-rounder Hayden Kerr ($62k BAT/BWL) took 2-16 and made 43 from 41 balls after scoring a half-century in his Shield debut for NSW.
Canes cheapie Caleb Jewell ($62k BAT) was Player of the Match for Tasmania with a hundred and half-century.
Check out our latest form guide here.
Hurricanes picked up Jordan Thompson, the tennis player? XD
I noticed you put Carey up there, but he’s not playing til Round 4.