Less than 48 hours after the Perth Scorchers won an incredible sixth Big Bash title, them and the rest of the competition are scrambling to lock in a host of stars on their list ahead of next summer’s BBL|16.
In the second rendition of the league’s ‘Deadline Day’, all eight franchises had until 5pm on Tuesday to sign up to 10 players to their club before Wednesday’s player movement window.
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Clubs were able to either sign an eligible free agent or trade players and draft picks, but are unable to re-sign or extend the contract of an existing player during the period.
Superstar Adam Zampa is the headline name out-of-contract heading into the ‘trade period’, with foxsports.com.au revealing new details regarding the Big Bash future of he and several others on Tuesday afternoon.
Australian white-ball great Glenn Maxwell was one of a number of stars who had been approached regarding his future heading into Deadline Day, with the Sydney Thunder reportedly chasing his signature, though re-signed on a two-year deal with his team of 14 seasons early on Tuesday morning.
“The Melbourne Stars have been a massive part of my cricket career and I’m really passionate about this team having success,” Maxwell said in a club statement.
“I think this current group is building towards something special and I’m confident we’re in a place to contend for the title in the next two seasons.”
After a red-hot start to BBL|15, the Stars were knocked out after just one match in the finals series, continuing their streak as the sole franchise without a Big Bash title.
The club evidently believe they’re well-poised to make another genuine tilt next summer though, having completed their full allocation of players before midday on Tuesday. Young gun Campbell Kellaway and uncapped quick Austin Anlezark rounded out the Stars’ 10-man list before the trade embargo.
Sydney Thunder opener Matthew Gilkes was the first to re-sign on Tuesday, extending his time at the club for another two years after a strong summer in the shortest format.
“I’m stoked to be continuing my career with the Sydney Thunder,” Gilkes said in a Thunder statement.
“They’ve been a massive part of my playing career for the last seven years and most of the boys are now my best mates.
“I love playing for this club, the fans get around us at ENGIE Stadium no matter what. We saw that this season, which was pretty disappointing from a results point of view, but we’re ready to put that behind us and look towards next season.”
The signing of his teammate Ryan Hadley was confirmed later in the day, among several others.
FULL LIST OF DEADLINE DAY SIGNINGS
Matthew Gilkes (Sydney Thunder, two-year extension)
Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars, two-year extension)
Campbell Kellaway (Melbourne Stars, two-year extension)
Austin Anlezark (Melbourne Stars, one-year extension)
Ryan Hadley (Sydney Thunder, one-year extension)
Tom Rogers (Melbourne Renegades, one-year extension)
Jerrssis Wadia (Adealdie Strikers, two-year extension)
Re-live foxsports.com.au’s rolling coverage of the BBL’s Deadline Day below! Can’t see the blog? Click here
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