BBL slugger Josh Brown picks Fitzroy-Doncaster as his Victorian Premier Cricket club
Powerhouse BBL batter Josh Brown has chosen his Victorian Premier Cricket club for next season, having switched from Brisbane Heat to Melbourne Renegades.
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Half the clubs in Victorian Premier Cricket wanted Big Bash League hurry-master Josh Brown.
Spoiled for choice, he chose Fitzroy-Doncaster.
The Melbourne Renegades recruit and new Victorian squad member will play his club cricket as a Lion in 2024-25, having agreed to terms.
Nine out of the 18 Premier clubs expressed interest in recruiting Brown in a process started by Cricket Victoria. CV officials passed on to Brown’s management the list of teams eager to sign the big-hitting right-hander.
His connection to Fitzroy-Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi was one of the reasons behind his move to Schramms Reserve. Alavi has played Brisbane grade cricket with Brown at Northern Suburbs.
“We’re really excited to bring someone of Josh’s calibre into the club,’’ Lions coach Matty Bremner said.
“The coaching staff and playing group were excited at the news and we can’t wait to get him down and meet him.
“There’s a connection there with our First XI captain – Ejaaz played with him at Norths – but I also think over the last months our values have really aligned with Josh’s.
“He wanted to play at a club that was really competitive and strong and had a really good culture.’’
Asked if the boundary at Schramms Reserve would challenge Brown, Bremner said with a laugh: “That was all part of our presentation. We put together the dimensions of the ground – I think it’s 59m one way and 61 or 62 at the other. I’m sure that was a factor as well. But I don’t think the nets will be high enough if he gets on to one.’’
Bremner said he was unsure how many matches Brown would be available to play for the Lions.
Fitzroy-Doncaster had already announced the recruitment of Northcote’s Mark Phelan, who finished last season with hands of 70 not out, 54 and 83 after being given a spell in the seconds. Phelan has hit seven centuries and more than 5,000 runs in a career that began at Carlton in 2012-13.
“At the end of the season, we sat down as a coaching group and looked at where our deficiencies were … and we needed a batter who could progress the game forward around the batters that we have,’’ Bremner said.
“We’ve locked that in. We’ve locked two. We’re really happy but we’re not resting.’’
Brown was lured to the Renegades after his spectacular 2023-24 season for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. The 31-year-old will also play Marsh Cup matches for Victoria.
The Vics have given him permission to take up T20 and T10 offers around the globe, as long as they don’t clash with his commitments with them.
Brown is expected to start training with the state squad on July 1.
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Originally published as BBL slugger Josh Brown picks Fitzroy-Doncaster as his Victorian Premier Cricket club
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