SMASH-AND-GRAB RAID FOR STARS
THE Big Bash has launched a sixfigure signing blitz in a bid to lure some of the World Cup’s biggest stars to Australia this summer.
England death bowling specialist Chris Jordan and West Indies’ walking highlight reels Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo are being headhunted by BBL clubs as Australia looks to sprinkle some World Cup star power over next month’s tournament.
Already, the BBL will welcome back some of the World Cup’s biggest names in Afghanistan strike weapons Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi as well as England pyrotechnic crowd pleasers Sam Billings, Alex Hales and Saqib Mahmood.
The Sydney Sixers are understood to be targeting fast bowling gun Jordan as an injury replacement for last year’s titlewinning allrounder Carlos Brathwaite, who is fighting to prove his fitness.
Bravo and Russell have been some of the biggest imports in BBL history and, although haven’t been signed yet, clubs are circling.
If Jordan signs with the Sixers and joins fellow England star James Vince in magenta it would be a chance for redemption for the experienced quick, after a horror spell in the World Cup semi-final was used by New Zealand as a springboard into the final.
However, Jordan has proven over the course of his career he is a class Twenty20 performer and would instantly become one of the most skilled death bowlers in the Big Bash.
Bravo was given a grand finale to international cricket when he bowed out against Australia at the World Cup but he still has franchise ambitions.
The Australians gave the allrounder a guard of honour along with Chris Gayle but he could end up as teammate to some of the Aussie stars this summer.
Gayle, on the other hand, has shown no interest in returning to the Big Bash years after the controversial comments he made to broadcaster Mel McLaughlin resulted in a fierce backlash by Australian clubs.
Russell is one of the best hired guns in world cricket and was a crucial weapon when the Sydney Thunder won the BBL.