Victoria chasing BBL gun as surprise option to bolster thinning batting list
Having lost Nic Maddinson to NSW and with question marks hanging over the playing future of Will Pucovski, Victoria has turned its attention to a BBL sensation to fill a hole in its batting order.
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Victoria is considering contracting Big Bash League phenomenon Josh Brown on its state list for next season.
With Will Pucvoski’s future still hanging in the balance, having lost Nic Maddinson to NSW and with Tasmania refusing to budge on a release for the contracted Jake Weatherald, the Vics are looking to consolidate their batting options and have ventured left-field to Queenslander Brown, who recently signed with the Melbourne Renegades after starring in the Brisbane Heat’s run to the Big Bash League title.
Victorian Premier Cricket clubs have been sounded out about recruiting Brown for next season, however cricket sources confirmed over the weekend that the situation extends beyond a mere club cameo. The Vics are looking at signing Brown, 30, on a full contract for next season despite the fact he has just one List A match to his name and has never played first-class cricket.
Potentially complicating matters is the fact Brown will be in demand for white-ball tournaments that overlap with the Australian home summer. It is unclear whether Cricket Victoria would allow Brown to skip some state or Premier commitments to play abroad.
The push to sign Brown comes after gun opener Maddinson returned to his home state. The Vics were interested in a move for opener Weatherald, who was keen on greater opportunities, but Tassie opted against clearing him either to Victoria or to his former state South Austraia.
Victoria has separately been given clearance to delay a call on Pucovski pending his appearance in front of a medical panel that will determine whether he should be allowed to keep playing following his latest concussion.
Travis Dean will drop off the list, further weakening Victoria’s batting depth but presenting chances to youngsters Dylan Brasher and Ashley Chandrasinghe.
The late-blooming Brown blasted 140 in the Heat’s finals win over Adelaide before making 53 in the decider against the Sydney Sixers.
He subsequently had a stint in the Bangladesh Premier League before accepting a lucrative deal with the Renegades.
His sole state cricket appearance came for Queensland against NSW in a one-dayer in February, 2023.
Paceman Brody Couch and batter MacKenzie Harvey have left Victoria for Western Australia and South Australia respectively, rejecting two-year deals from the Vics.
The Vics haven’t won a title since claiming the double in 2018-19 under now Australian coach Andrew McDonald.
“I’ve enjoyed my time with the Heat, they gave me my opportunity, for which I’ll always be grateful and have cherished memories including winning a BBL Championship last season,” Brown said when he signed with the Renegades.
“But I am extremely excited for a new challenge and hopefully achieve the same success with the Renegades.
“It’s a young group with a lot of talent and firepower, especially in that batting group. I can’t wait to partner with the likes of (Jake) Fraser-McGurk and (Will) Sutherland and see what we can do.”
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