Just like the last edition, I have seen some of the whackiest signings in this year’s BBL season. Following are the ones that impressed me & the ones that I found very strange.
1) JOE CLARKE (MELBOURNE STARS)
Last year, the Stars made the best signing of the season when they managed to sign up Jonny Bairstow who later pulled out of the tournament. The player signed up to replace him was the worst signing of the season and it proved so. Andre Fletcher could only muster 206 runs in 12 innings at an average of 20.6 and if you take out the only good knock of 89* that he played, he averaged 11.7.
This year, they have signed up Joe Clarke to fill up for the void left by Bairstow & never filled by Fletcher and this to me, looks like one of the best overseas signings of this season. Half of his dismissals are likely to be caught out in the 30-yard circle, but this bloke’s a talent & he’s been smashing it for Nottinghamshire.
OPINION: Good
2) SAQIB MAHMOOD (SYDNEY THUNDER)
A straight-up replacement for Adam Milne. That’s exactly what the Sydney Thunder Women’s team did as well. They replaced an express pacer for express pacer this year.
This looks like another good signing to me, as Saqib can prove to be very handy on some of the pitches where he will be playing. With the ability to swing the new ball at pace, coupled with decent death bowling skills, I expect him to do well.
OPINION: Good
3) REECE TOPLEY (MELBOURNE RENEGADES)
The Renegades have Josh Lalor in their side. But, I feel Reece will compliment him pretty well as both the LAPs have different skill sets. Topley’s been off the radar in the last few years because of injuries. However, he has a very good potential and has proven it for several years in the Blast.
He can swing it both ways, extracts good bounce because of his height, and also bowls some searing yorkers. This should work well here!
OPINION: Good
4) HARRY BROOK (HOBART HURRICANES)
Yorkshire-Northern Superchargers-Hobart Hurricanes. The journey continues for Harry Brook & Jordan Thompson.
Brook is an absolute superstar & is easily one of the best signings made this season along with Clarke. Another proven player coming through the U-19 ranks in England & he has converted well for Yorkshire. Aggressive batter & he is fairly good against pace & spin.
OPINION: Good
5) TOM ABELL (BRISBANE HEAT)
Abell’s a Somerset legend & quite rightly so. This guy has been particularly good in the T20 format. He is technically good & plays proper cricketing shots to score boundaries.
His last 5 scores in T20 cricket have been 26 – 50 – 78* – 68 – 69 and these were some of the most beautiful knocks he played after returning from an injury.
OPINION: Good
6) SYED FARIDOUN (MELBOURNE STARS)
This is one of the signings that’s been very difficult to digest. Left-arm Chinaman bowlers are scarce and also bring about the element of mystery to the game since batters are not used to this type day-in-day-out.
Stars have a history of signing up players from the Lahore Qalandar’s Player Development Programme. That’s where Haris Rauf & Dilbar Hussain came from. But, as pacers, you might still get success despite the lack of experience of being involved in overseas competitions.
Compare that to the wrist-spinners who constantly face the threat of lacking discipline with line & length & add the pressure of someone who has no experience & all of a sudden, the picture doesn’t look so rosy. There’s a chance that he may be tried early on & if he doesn’t deliver, then he will be out of the side after 3-4 games.
My point is that when you have established LACs around the globe, why do you feel the need to sign up someone unknown & see that player as your X-factor? Aren’t LACs an X-factor, anyway?
OPINION: Bad
7) UNMUKT CHAND (MELBOURNE RENEGADES)
If their last year’s signings weren’t less surprising, then look at this one & you’d surely be surprised. I don’t see any basis behind Unmukt’s signing. Yes, he was a fantastic player for the India U-19 side, but no one remembers many things about him except for his U-19 heroics & that’s because there have been very few of them.
He was in & out of the side constantly & eventually relocated to the U.S.A. & will look to ply his trade for them in the future.
OPINION: Bad
Cricket Strategist 