Photo Credit: Hobart Hurricanes
The Hobart Hurricanes are delighted to announce that Billy Stanlake will be a part of their line-up for BBL|12, after negotiating a release from his contract with the Melbourne Stars.
The 204cm fast bowler has played 51 Big Bash matches at both the Stars and Adelaide Strikers, unfortunately missing BBL|11 due to injury. Capable of bowling close to 150k/ph, Stanlake has a total of 47 BBL wickets to his name, at an average of 29.89 and economy of 8.07.
Stanlake has also donned the green and gold in the T20I format 19 times, taking a total of 27 wickets an at impressive average of 20.14, including best figures of 4-8, where he ripped apart Pakistan’s top-order in Zimbabwe.
Stanlake, who had one year left on his current deal with the Stars, said he was excited at what lay ahead for the Hurricanes.
“This season I’ve made one of the biggest decisions of my career to date by moving states and changing where I train and play for the majority of the year, so to me, it just made the most sense to go all in, and base where I play all of my cricket in the one place.
“I’ve obviously had injury troubles for the last 18 months or so, but I’m really happy with how things are progressing and the return to bowling plan we’ve been working on down here, and so in order to be the best player that I can be for whatever team I commit to, I think this is the best option for all involved.”
Stanlake added that the personnel announcements that had been made at the Hurricanes as of late did help with the decision.
“It’s no secret that any project Ricky Ponting puts his hand to is a success, so it’s hard not to want to be involved with that, plus having [Jeff] Vaughany as the head coach of both programs – a known quantity if you like, you know, a fantastic bloke and a really great people manager – is really reassuring.
“Add that on top of a pace-bowling group that includes Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis and Joel Paris – well, that’s pretty enticing.”
“I’m really thankful to both clubs for making this happen,” Stanlake continued. “With my injuries, my time with the Stars arguably didn’t turn out the way either of us wanted, but I still learnt a lot from being within their environment, which I am grateful for.”
Stanlake joins Asif Ali (o/s), Faheem Ashraf (o/s), Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Shadab Khan (o/s), Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D’Arcy Short and Matthew Wade as Hurricanes currently signed for BBL|12.
Memberships for the upcoming season are still available for sale – join the Purple Army here!
