Big Bash League: Three England players to keep an eye on Down Under

The Australian Big Bash League signals the start of a hectic schedule of franchise cricket, with the SA20 and ILT20 also getting underway early next year.

As such, it can be difficult for cricket fans to keep on top of who will be playing where on the franchise circuit merry-go-round, with many English players spending a busy winter globetrotting around the world.

English players were highly sought after in the draft, comprising 14 of the 24 overseas selections.

Given the inability for the BBL to attract top-tier talent due to financial muscle and international clashes, Australia’s premier T20 competition offers a platform for English domestic talent to showcase themselves on a big stage.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s Dom Harris take a closer look at three England players who will be looking to make a big impression this winter ahead of a busy few months of international white-ball cricket with a tour of India and the Champions Trophy on the horizon.

Jamie Overton - Adelaide Strikers, Bowling All-Rounder, 30

The 6ft 5ins big-hitting all-rounder has been on the outskirts of the England squad for around 10 years now, but a number of injury setbacks have curtailed the pace bowler to just ten international appearances across all formats.

Overton was involved in the recent white-ball series against West Indies, though was rarely called upon with the bat due to the form of the top order and had his bowling overs restricted.

The Surrey man returns to the Adelaide Strikers as their platinum pick where he was the leading wicket-taker last year, claiming an impressive 16 wickets across just nine matches.

Having been acquired by the Chennai Super Kings in the recent IPL auction, Overton will be hoping to stay injury-free to showcase his ability with both bat and ball.

With Ben Stokes’ decision over a white-ball future still to be confirmed and the likes of Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson likely to see their workload managed ahead of a busy Test schedule, there is a potential opening for a lower order all-rounder to cement a spot in the England limited overs squad moving forward, which Overton could fulfil.

Matthew Hurst - Perth Scorchers, Wicketkeeper Batter, 20

The 20-year-old Lancastrian is the latest on the conveyor belt of talented English wicketkeeper-batters and has been recognised for his breakthrough domestic season with his maiden overseas franchise gig.

Having established himself in the Lancashire side during the T20 Blast, scoring 228 runs at an average of 25, Hurst earned a wildcard spot for the Manchester Originals in The Hundred where he made a top score of 78 and was striking in excess of 160.

Hurst was selected by the Perth Scorchers - the most successful side in BBL history - and will join up with his new team-mates after spending time away on his first England Lions tour as part of a high potential development camp in South Africa.

It remains to be seen how much game time Hurst will get in what is a star-studded Scorchers side filled with Australian internationals, but the experience will only help his development - and he is a name to keep a close watch of in 2025.

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Jafer Chohan - Sydney Sixers, Leg-Spinner, 22

The Yorkshire leg-spinner was the first graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy to be selected in an England squad ahead of the West Indies tour in November.

Despite flying home before he could make his debut, instead heading out to South Africa to join Andrew Flintoff’s Lions camp, Chohan is a highly exciting prospect who could be lined up as the much-needed long-term successor to Adil Rashid.

With 17 wickets in the T20 Blast this year at a highly respectable 7.80 economy, including 5-14 against Durham at Headingley, the 22-year-old was the final pick by the Sydney Sixers.

Where are the other England players?

England Test players Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell and Ollie Pope will link up with the Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers respectively after the conclusion of the ongoing Test series in New Zealand.

Joe Clarke has been announced as a temporary replacement for Nottinghamshire team-mate Duckett in his absence, working with their county head coach Peter Moores.

Defending champions Brisbane Heat re-signed all-rounder Paul Walter, who was named in the team of the tournament last year for his 13 wickets.

Opening batter Tom Alsop joins cult figure “Tall Paul” at the Gabba after his impressive campaign for Sussex Sharks in the T20 Blast.

Chris Jordan’s England days appear to be over, but his death bowling and fielding skills will prove valuable once again to the Hobart Hurricanes where he was pre-signed for two years.

Laurie Evans has been a formidable presence in the BBL in recent years, the star man for the Perth Scorchers in the 2022 final with an unbeaten 76 off 41 balls.

The Scorchers decided not to retain Evans this time around, instead being snapped up by Melbourne Renegades to help improve their recent poor finishes.

Surrey’s Tom Curran ended a six-year association with the Sydney Sixers and joined the Melbourne Stars as part of the newly-introduced multi-year overseas contract option, hoping to put behind him a forgettable tournament last year where he was banned for four games for intimidating an umpire and missed the latter stages through injury.

Keaton Jennings will join his Lancashire team-mate Matty Hurst at the Perth Scorchers, whilst the Sydney Sixers used their retention to keep hold of run machine James Vince, who was originally selected by the Melbourne Renegades.

Finally, franchise-hopper Sam Billings returns to the Sydney Thunder after two years at the Brisbane Heat, with the wicketkeeper allocated in their platinum category prior to the draft.

The KFC Men’s Big Bash League gets underway on Sunday, December 15 with Perth Scorchers taking on Melbourne Stars at the Optus Stadium.

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