West Indies Heavy Hitter Nicholas Pooran Set to Join Big Bash League 2023
West Indies’ dynamic left-handed batsman, Nicholas Pooran is gearing up to make a highly anticipated return to the Big Bash League (BBL) in 2023. With his recent inclusion among the overseas players nominated for the BBL draft next month, the teams will be eyeing to getting him in their squad.
Nicholas Pooran had a brief yet impactful stint in the Big Bash League came during the 2020-21 season when he donned the colors of Melbourne Stars. In his six appearances for the team, he left an indelible mark, particularly in his second outing against Sydney Sixers. Pooran’s explosive knock of 65 off 26 balls, featuring eight impressive sixes, captured the attention of fans and opponents alike.
The draft list inclusion of Nicholas Pooran is nothing short of eye-catching, owing to his recent performances that have left spectators in awe. His scintillating display of power-hitting was showcased in the MLC final where he blazed his way to 137 runs off just 55 balls, steering MI New York to a title triumph. This remarkable achievement was followed by his consistent run-scoring spree in the T20I series against India, further solidifying his reputation as a force to be reckoned with.
Laurie Evans Set To Make A Comeback
Another exciting prospect for the upcoming BBL season is the potential return of English batter Laurie Evans. Forced to sit out the previous season due to a provisional suspension following a positive doping test, Evans is now back in action, representing Manchester Originals in the Hundred and Surrey in the T20 Blast. His suspension was lifted in March.
Intriguingly, Laurie Evans’ prior association with Perth Scorchers makes him eligible for retention, a strategic move that allows teams to prevent another franchise from signing a player who was part of their squad in the preceding season. Evans played a pivotal role in Scorchers’ title-winning campaign in 2021-22, crafting an impressive 76 off 41 balls in the final.
The draft for the upcoming BBL season, scheduled for September 3, is set to feature a lineup of remarkable players, including the likes of Alex Hales, Rilee Rossouw, Faf du Plessis, and Colin Munro. Hales, who recently bid adieu to international cricket, is a viable contender for retention by Sydney Thunder, as is Rossouw.
Du Plessis, originally left unpicked in the previous year’s draft, secured a replacement deal with Scorchers, potentially making him eligible for retention as well. Colin Munro, the adept left-handed batsman from New Zealand, had a wonderful tournament with Brisbane Heat, amassing 278 runs at an impressive strike-rate of 150.27.
The forthcoming BBL 2023 season, set to commence on December 7, has been trimmed down to a 43-game schedule. However, the possibility of overlap with other leagues such as ILT20 in the UAE and SA20 could pose challenges to player availability.
