As reported by Honeyball last month, the Melbourne Stars have officially announced the signing of two-time Stars Player of the Season Joe Clarke as a replacement player for BBL|14.
Clarke will be available for the first two games of the season, with Number 1 Draft Pick Ben Duckett unavailable due to his commitments with the English Test team in New Zealand.
The English wicketkeeper-batsman’s inclusion likely means popular SC pick Sam Harper will be squeezed out of their Round 1 side.
Clarke returns to the Stars after playing 6 games for the Renegades last season, scoring an underwhelming 111 runs in 5 knocks at an average of 22.2
The top-order bat is actually coming off some lean form for Welsh Fire batting 3-4 in The Hundred, failing to get above 10 in his past 5 knocks.
Clarke averaged 14.5 SuperCoach points in 7 games in The Hundred this year, while he fared better in the Vitality Blast, averaging 35.07 SC points per game from 14 games.
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Clarke said: “I’ve loved my time in the Big Bash over the last 3 years and can’t wait to get back to Australia this summer.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to the MCG and hopefully playing a part in getting the lads off to a fast start in BBL|14.”
Melbourne Stars General Manager Blair Crouch said: “We know Joe is a proven performer in the Big Bash and we can’t wait to have him back in green.
“Joe’s a great person for the group, he knows the playing group well and we all saw his ability with the bat to open the season at the MCG in BBL|12 where he scored a century so we’re looking forward to seeing him back at the MCG.”
