Bowling sensation Haris Rauf won’t be back for the BBL as Melbourne Stars sign a West Indian replacement

Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf set the Big Bash alight last year but won’t be back with his Melbourne Stars spot taken by a big-hitting West Indian.

Last year’s Big Bash bowling revelation Haris Rauf went so well he won’t be back this season for the Melbourne Stars after being called up for Pakistan duties.

Instead the green team have signed power-hitting West Indian Nicholas Pooran to fill their second internatonal spot, for a brief period, with a third to be confirmed next week.

Rauf, who made his rise through tape ball leagues in his homeland, earned a spot in the Pakistan Super League T20 competition after an Australian Idol style audition process.

He was then plucked from grade cricket in Tasmania at the start of last summer by the Stars and finished third on the BBL wicket-taking list, with 20 scalps in just 10 games.

Rauf put himself on the national radar in Pakistan and is unavailable for the Big Bash because of a series against South Africa set for January.

West Indian Pooran is a batting replacement, having played 25 One-Day Internationals and 21 T20 Internationals for the West Indies.

He will, however, only be available for six matches with the Stars across December and early January after being picked in the West Indies’ T20 International squad to face New Zealand.

Pooran, who can also take the wicketkeeping gloves, has just ended his Indian Premier League campaign with Kings XI Punjab where he played with Stars captain Glenn Maxwell.

UNBELIEVABLE fielding from Nicholas Pooran! 😳👏

That is absolutely sensational. The best save in IPL history? 🔥#Dream11IPL

📺 Watch live 👉 https://t.co/o2UhEk00z4
📋 Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/aMNpXX3hdL pic.twitter.com/1fOZVKCCUn

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 27, 2020

He finished the tournament with 521 runs, averaging 32 with a strike rate of 165 in a show of his batting power.

One of the brightest young prospects in T20 cricket 🌴

Nicholas Pooran joins #TeamGreen 💚

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) November 11, 2020

 
“The Melbourne Stars have a very strong team and I’m happy I can be part of that for a few matches this season,” Pooran said.

“I’m also excited to be part of the BBL and heard many good things from Glenn Maxwell. I will keep playing my natural game for the team and hope it helps get the Stars some positive results.”

Stars coach David Hussey said Pooran would bring further firepower to the line-up.

“Nick is an impressive player with some big gears who has been in demand in the IPL, the Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super League in addition to his West Indies duties for some time,” Hussey said.

“I’m looking forward to having his talents on our side this season.”

The Stars will announce their third international signing next week.