Dan Lawrence and Tom Kohler-Cadmore signed by BBL teams

Overseas imports have been hard to hang on to for BBL clubs, but a pair of English replacements have been flown in at the last minute.

BBL clubs are working to offset the talent drain from the competition ahead of an international white-ball series, with two English recruits snapped up by the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder.

The Stars have secured creative English batter Dan Lawrence for the remainder of the season after losing key bowlers Haris Rauf and Usama Mir, who have linked up with the Pakistan squad ahead of their limited overs tour of New Zealand in January.

Lawrence, 26, has not featured in a white-ball game for England but has played 11 Tests and will return to the BBL after a brief cameo for the Brisbane Heat during the Covid-disrupted 2020-21 season.

He arrived in Australia last week and is expected to play against the Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve as the Stars look to revamp an underperforming top order.

Melbourne Stars recruit Dan Lawrence (right) with Chris Lynn during his brief stint at the Brisbane Heat in 2020-21. Picture: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

“We’re thrilled to secure someone of Dan’s talent and he’ll provide another powerful striking option at the top of our order,” Stars boss Blair Crouch said.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the Stars and can’t wait to see him on the some of the biggest stages with the New Year’s Eve game in Adelaide, the derby at the MCG and the remainder of the season.”

Lawrence’s signing comes after the Sydney Thunder replaced Pakistan quick Zaman Khan with fellow Englishman and T20 gun-for-hire Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

The 29-year-old was the leading run-scorer in the Abu Dhabi T10 League earlier this month and has more than 4000 T20 runs at a strike rate of 140.

Kohler-Cadmore, who played NSW grade cricket for Penrith seven years ago, will line up for the Thunder against the Sixers in the Sydney Smash on Saturday night.

Prized Melbourne Renegades recruit Quinton de Kock will also soon depart Australia after his first BBL tournament, with South Africa’s domestic T20 competition beginning on January 10.