Fight on to secure spinner’s services

MELBOURNE Stars face a fight to re-sign Sandeep Lamichhane, with the Nepalese spinner emerging as a Big Bash League poaching target.

News Corp understands at least two other BBL franchises are making plays for Lamichhane, who has been one of the finds of the summer.

But Lamichhane, 18, has enjoyed his six games in green with the Stars in the box seat to secure him for next summer.

Initial talks with the Stars started about two weeks ago.

Stars’ captain Glenn Maxwell praised Lamichhane’s energy and the cheeky teenager has been a popular addition to the “Stars’ family”.

Lamichhane dismissed the opposition’s captain in his first five games and has taken 11 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.8 after taking 3/11 against Sydney Sixers on Sunday.

The Stars are likely to have another decent list overhaul, with allrounder Evan Gulbis, veteran Jackson Bird and West Indies import Dwayne Bravo also understood to be coming out of contract.

Michael Beer retired last week while coach Stephen Fleming also falls out of contract. But the New Zealand great has guided the Stars to the semi-finals in three out of his four seasons in charge.

Lamichhane missed eight BBL games to play in the Bangladesh Premier League and Sylhet Sixers also wants to retain him. But next season’s BPL is unlikely to heavily overlap with the BBL again, given it was previously staged across November-December.

The Stars travel to Hobart for Thursday night’s semifinal against the Hurricanes. Lamichhane was their best bowler at Blundstone Arena in December, taking 3/24 – including the wickets of Matthew Wade and Ben McDermott.