Victoria eyes big basher
Brown in frame for deal
Victoria is considering giving Big Bash League phenomenon Josh Brown a contract on its state list for next season.
Will Pucovski’s future is still hanging in the balance, Nic Maddinson has been lost to NSW and Tasmania is refusing to budge on a release for the contracted Jake Weatherald.
So the Vics are looking to consolidate their batting options and have ventured left field to Queenslander Brown, who recently signed with the Melbourne Renegades after starring in the Brisbane Heat’s run to the Big Bash League title.
Victorian Premier Cricket clubs have been sounded out about recruiting Brown for next season but sources confirmed over the weekend that the situation extended beyond a mere club cameo.
The Vics are looking at signing Brown, 30, on a full contract for next season despite the fact he has just one List A match to his name and has never played first-class cricket.
Potentially complicating matters is the fact Brown will be in demand for white-ball tournaments that overlap with the Australian home summer.
It is unclear whether Cricket Victoria would allow Brown to skip some state or Premier commitments to play abroad.
The push to sign Brown comes after gun opener Maddinson returned to his home state.
The Vics were interested in a move for opener Weatherald, who was keen on greater opportunities, but Tassie opted against clearing him either to Victoria or to his former state South Australia.
Victoria has separately been given clearance to delay a call on Pucovski pending his appearance in front of a medical panel that will determine whether he should be allowed to keep playing following his latest concussion.
Travis Dean will drop off the list, further weakening Victoria’s batting depth but presenting chances to youngsters Dylan Brasher and Ashley Chandrasinghe.
The late-blooming Brown blasted 140 in the Heat’s finals win over Adelaide before making 53 in the decider against the Sydney Sixers.
He subsequently had a stint in the Bangladesh Premier League before accepting a lucrative deal with the Renegades.
His sole state cricket appearance came for Queensland against NSW in a onedayer in February last year.
Paceman Brody Couch and batter MacKenzie Harvey have left Victoria for Western Australia and South Australia respectively, rejecting twoyear deals from the Vics.
“I’ve enjoyed my time with the Heat, they gave me my opportunity, for which I’ll always be grateful and have cherished memories including winning a BBL Championship last season,” Brown said when he signed with the Renegades.
“But I am extremely excited for a new challenge and hopefully achieve the same success with the Renegades.”