Big Bash and international stars blast off in MPCA

Mornington Peninsula clubs will unleash huge marquee signings in Tuesday’s T20 games, including Big Bash stars and a former world No 1 ODI bowler.

Nuwan Kulasekara bowls Australia’s Michael Clarke in a One Day International at the Gabba in Brisbane. Picture: Peter Wallis

The Jack Peackock Twenty20 competition in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association will go to a new level on Tuesday afternoon.

Clubs have taken advantage of the new marquee player rule by securing some of cricket’s biggest names.

Langwarrin has locked in former Sri Lankan international Nuwan Kulasekara.

Right-arm paceman Kulasekara, who played 21 Test matches, 184 ODIs and 58 T20Is, was at one stage rated the ICC’s No 1 ODI bowler.

He will take his place in the Langwarrin side alongside Adelaide Strikers Big Bash star Ian Cockbain.

Ian Cockbain of the Adelaide Strikers. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Cockbain led the Big Bash League batting averages with 59.75 last season, including a blistering 71no off 42 balls against the Sydney Sixers that secured a finals berth for the Strikers.

Langwarrin hosts Pines, at Lloyd Park, at 5pm.

Former Australian Test batter Rob Quiney will play for Rosebud, alongside his former Victorian teammate Nick Jewell. Victorian and Melbourne Stars leg-spinning all-rounder Tom O’Connell played for Rosebud in a T20 game two weeks ago.

Rob Quiney.

Michael Wallace.

Quiney and Jewell’s Sharks will host Rye, which will have former Indian first-class player Akshay Ballal as a marquee player.

Somerville has signed Casey South Melbourne captain Michael Wallace for its T20 clash with Crib Point. Wallace peeled off over 700 runs in Premier Cricket and Vic Super Slam last year.

Tuesday’s games hit off at 5pm.

The Jack Peacock Cup has four conferences.

Clubs will play four preliminary rounds, leading to conference finals in late January.