Isa Guha’s verdicts on English players signed on for BBL10

More Englishmen have signed on for the BBL than ever before, including some of the world’s premier T20 batsmen. Isa Guha gives her verdicts on what to expect.

Tim Michell

@tim_michell

3 min read

November 18, 2020 - 7:04PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

A host of England’s best players have signed on with BBL clubs.

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English big guns Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan and Jason Roy can have a major say on the outcome of this summer’s Big Bash League, says leading commentator Isa Guha.

Guha, who featured 113 times for England and will be part of Fox Cricket’s commentary team this summer, has tipped the star trio to take the BBL by storm after inking deals with Melbourne Stars (Bairstow), Perth Scorchers (Roy) and Hobart Hurricanes (Malan).

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BBL fans will have to wait until after Christmas to see the top-order batsmen in action due to England’s tour of South Africa.

But Guha said it would be worth the wait.

Jonny Bairstow has signed with Melbourne Stars for BBL10.

“As soon as (Bairstow is) available I’m picking him in my (KFC SuperCoach BBL) team,” Guha said.

“Just a hard-hitting all-rounder. Incredibly intimidating.”

Guha is keen to see what impact Jason Roy has after previous BBL stints with Sydney Sixers.

“Those two (Bairstow and Roy) are two of the most explosive in the world at the moment and have the ability to obliterate attacks,” she said.

“The other guy is Dawid Malan. He is the No. 1 T20 batter in the world at the moment.

“Just super consistent, knows his game incredibly well. I think he will enjoy playing at Hobart where the boundaries are so small.”

Bairstow, Roy and Malan headline the Englishmen bound for the BBL this summer, although several rising stars from England’s domestic T20 competition will also feature.

World No. 1 ranked T20 batter Dawid Malan has signed with Hobart Hurricanes.

This year’s Vitality Blast MVP Will Jacks has signed with Hobart, Dan Lawrence (replacement player) and Lewis Gregory are on board with Brisbane Heat and Joe Clarke will feature for Perth Scorchers in the early rounds.

Guha said experienced spinner Danny Briggs, the leading wicket-taker in Vitality Blast history, was another to watch.

“He offers a lot of control, knows his game inside out and has played for Hampshire.

“I watched him a lot when he was at Hampshire. He’s obviously down at Sussex now.

“He knows Rashid (Khan) already from playing at Sussex with him so I think they will form quite a nice partnership.”

English all-rounder Lewis Gregory with Will Pucovski before an English Lions game.

Guha has avoided Englishmen in her starting side but will be targeting her compatriots once they complete mandatory quarantine after arriving in Australia.

“I’m the only England representative this year so I have to make it count,” she said.

Dan Lawrence cuts over the slips during England Lions’ tour of Australia in February.

ISA GUHA’S VERDICTS ON:

Will Jacks (Hobart Hurricanes) $148,000 BAT-BWL

“A promising young talent from Surrey. He's an aggressive off-spinning all-rounder that is coming off a good 2020 season.”

Dan Lawrence (Brisbane Heat) $125,000 BAT

“Hits a big ball, can offer with the ball as well. A really exciting talent on the fringes of the England team. Quite a modern player in the fact that he can play across all formats.”

Lewis Gregory (Brisbane Heat) $175,000 BAT-BWL

“Has got a good, smart cricket brain and would fill a role if, he’s basically the first choice if Ben Stokes gets injured or they need an all-rounder in that middle order for the England team.”

Joe Clarke (Perth Scorchers) $125,000 BAT

“Super talented player with great ball striking ability and will want to make a name for himself in the BBL this season.”