BBL signings don’t disappoint
Roar Rookie The second edition of the Big Bash League this summer is set to be bigger and better than last time. The scheduling now includes each team playing all opponents both home and away at some stage of the fixture.
The assurance of the league’s future has now allowed franchises to sign players to long-term deals.
So far the player signing period has given us plenty to absorb, with numerous player moves to new franchises.
This is how each franchise has fared so far:
Adelaide Strikers
So far the Strikers have been one of the quietest in player signings. New additions for the upcoming season include former Test opener Phil Hughes and the “Wild Thing” Shaun Tait.
They have retained the services of former South African international Johan Botha, who will captain the South Australian sides in all formats this season.
Brisbane Heat
The Heat have made one of the more interesting moves of the signing period by throwing a life line to Luke Pommersbach. They have also signed fast bowler Ben Cutting whilst they have made the key moves of re-signing Daniel Vettori, Dan Christian and Ryan Harris.
Hobart Hurricanes
One of last season’s more successful teams have made some key acquisitions. They have added star duo Aiden Blizzard and Tim Paine, who is making his return from long-term injury this season. They have retained Oais Shah, big hitter Travis Birt and former Test off-spinner Jason Krejza.
Melbourne Renegades
One of last season’s under performers, the Renegades have lost some key players to cross town rivals the Stars. But in saying this they have signed gun limited overs bowler Nathan Rimmington along with arguably the biggest signing in the Big Bash, leading Test wicket taker of all time Muttiah Muralitharan.
Retaining the services of Aaron Finch has also been important for the Renegades who will look to have a vastly better season this summer.
Perth Scorchers
The 2011/12 season runners up the Perth Scorchers have been big players during the signing window by acquiring many signatures. In a huge coup for the franchise they have signed teenage fast bowling sensation Pat Cummins along with fellow fast bowlers Joe Mennie and Jason Behrendorff.
They have also retained eight key players from last season including Brad Hogg, Herschelle Gibbs, Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Marsh and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Melbourne Stars
Shane Warne’s Melbourne Stars have only made a few signings, but those few are big names in Twenty20 cricket. They have poached crosstown rivals Melbourne Renegades’ best two top order batsman in Australian domestic cricket legend Brad Hodge and up and comer Glenn Maxwell.
Sydney Thunder
So far the Sydney Thunder have not made any real big name signings, but they have retained some important role players including Luke Doran, Scott Coyte and Sean Abbott.
Sydney Sixers
Last season’s eventual winners, the Sydney Sixers, are yet to make any announcements in regards to player signings.
There is still sure to be plenty of big announcements with each franchise looking to fill their 18-man squads that include a maximum of two international players.
Who do you think has been the most successful so far in regards to player signings, Roarers?
July 17th 2012 @ 6:22am
Brett McKay said | July 17th 2012 @ 6:22am | Report comment
Widget, I’ll assume the timing of submitting this article has conspired against you – the big news yesterday of course, was Renegades Capt Andrew McDonald defecting to Adelaide, and Australian T20 Capt George Bailey leaving the Stars to return home to Hobart!
Renegades have lost four big name players now (Hodge, Maxwell, Tait, McDonald), be interesting how they fill these spots..
July 17th 2012 @ 10:49am
Ryan O'Connell said | July 17th 2012 @ 10:49am | Report comment
It makes it pretty hard to build an association with a team when the players are going to be so actively moving around, doesn’t it?
July 17th 2012 @ 10:54am
Brett McKay said | July 17th 2012 @ 10:54am | Report comment
yeah, it does, I suppose (though without an association to any team, it doesn’t bother me personally), but having this sigining period in July is simply about geting cricket in the papers in football season..
July 17th 2012 @ 10:56am
Ryan O'Connell said | July 17th 2012 @ 10:56am | Report comment
I think they’d much better served trying not to get cricket in the papers during the footy season!
July 17th 2012 @ 2:32pm
Don Corelone said | July 17th 2012 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
It’s fair enough. The AFL draft is in November and the NRL ‘All-Star’ game is in February…right in the middle of cricket season.
It will be much easier building an association with Big Bash teams now as they can have extended contacts (BBL 01 had only single season contacts). The positive development has been many players like George Bailey, Shaun Tait and Adam Voges have returned back to their state capital sides.
July 17th 2012 @ 7:55am
Widget said | July 17th 2012 @ 7:55am | Report comment
Yes Brett, these were announced after I submitted my article.
July 17th 2012 @ 8:00am
Dan said | July 17th 2012 @ 8:00am | Report comment
The scorchers squad is outstanding
July 17th 2012 @ 1:30pm
Nathan of Perth said | July 17th 2012 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Hope so!
Hogg is surely immortal – will play till he is 50.
July 17th 2012 @ 8:08am
Swampy said | July 17th 2012 @ 8:08am | Report comment
The biggest loss to the bigbash is of the people’s mullet.
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July 17th 2012 @ 10:44am
Brett McKay said | July 17th 2012 @ 10:44am | Report comment
Widget, Cosgrove and Lockyer today have left Hobart to join Sydney Thunder..
July 17th 2012 @ 4:41pm
Widget said | July 17th 2012 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
The scorchers will be tough to beat, especially with albie morkel and adam voges
July 19th 2012 @ 5:08pm
Lolly said | July 19th 2012 @ 5:08pm | Report comment
Chuffed they got the bovine Albie Morkel, I hope that he can play at least half the matches.His bowling is no more than alright, but he can really smack a ball.
July 17th 2012 @ 11:37pm
tonysalerno said | July 17th 2012 @ 11:37pm | Report comment
The melbourne stars have got one over their neighbours, the renegades. The signing of both hodge and Maxwell over to Maguire’s mob will no doubt make them a force at the end of the year.
July 19th 2012 @ 2:33pm
Nick Jungfer said | July 19th 2012 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
Hobart scare me with Aiden Blizzard and Tim Paine joining an already solid lineup.