BBL free agency window: Every club’s out-of-contract players, list rules
Melbourne Stars have re-signed a Thunder quick for his third stint at the club as its squad for BBL15 takes shape. See every club’s signings and free agents here.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tim David, D’Arcy Short, Matt Renshaw, Mitch Marsh and Beau Webster headline a bumper list of BBL free agents eligible to be signed in the competition’s first player movement window.
There are 52 players on the free agency market who can be signed during the next 10 days.
The list also includes BBL14’s leading wicket-taker Mitch Marsh, Hayden Kerr and Jason Sangha, who reminded teams of his quality with 67 from 42 balls in Monday’s BBL decider.
Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood are also free agents but the Test trio have not played BBL for several years.
Clubs can also trade players and draft picks during the window, which closes on February 6 at 5pm.
BBL REPORT CARDS: EVERY CLUB’S SEASON RATED
Overseas and local replacement players whose contracts have inspired cannot be re-signed during the window.
“Introducing Player Movement Windows has added another strategic dimension to both the WBBL and BBL this season,” BBL boss Alastair Dobson said.
“Trade activity immediately after the WBBL Final created strong discussion among our fans, broadcasters and the media, while also adding certainty and stability for those players who did sign for a new club.
“The BBL window has been highly anticipated, and the calibre of names among the 52 Eligible Free Agents ensures clubs, players and fans alike will have plenty to consider over the next 10 days.”
HATCHER ON MOVE AS STARS TARGET ‘MCG FORTRESS’
Liam Hatcher has re-joined Melbourne Stars in the second move of the BBL’s free agency period.
Hatcher, who has spent two previous seasons with the Stars, did not feature for Sydney Thunder this tournament.
The 28-year-old, who took 24 wickets in 17 games for the Stars, praised the “inroads” made by the franchise this summer as they recovered from 0-5 to play finals.
“It’s great to be back at the Stars and have the chance to play at the MCG again,” Hatcher said.
“The team made some great inroads this year hopefully we can all go deep into finals in BBL15.”
Stars general manager Blair Crouch said the club was confident Hatcher could recapture the form he showed during his previous stints as a Star.
“We saw what Liam produced for the Stars in his 2 tournaments with the club and we believe he’s capable of that cricket again in BBL15 and BBL16,” he said.
“We won 3 out of our 4 matches in BBL|14 at the MCG and we want to make it a fortress again and Liam’s skillset will only enhance that ambition.”
BEHRENDORFF JOINS GADES IN FIRST FREE AGENCY MOVE
One of the most prolific quicks in BBL history has become the first player to move in the BBL’s free agency window.
Jason Behrendorff has signed with Melbourne Renegades after taking 140 wickets in 106 matches for Perth Scorchers.
The 34-year-old’s switch was confirmed in Tuesday, the opening day of the BBL’s inaugural player movement period.
“To continue my career and play cricket in a city we both love is a blessing,” Behrendorff said.
“I am really excited for what the next chapter holds with the Melbourne Renegades but just as importantly for my family too.”
Behrendorff was the leading wicket-taker in BBL14, finishing one ahead of his new teammate Tom Rogers and Hobart’s Riley Meredith with 17 scalps.
“Jason is a world-class bowler and proven match-winner, so we’re delighted to have him on board,” Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said.
“His performances in BBL14 and over a long period of time shows why he’s one of the most dangerous bowlers in the competition.
“Jason’s experience and leadership qualities will also be invaluable as we continue to develop our squad and strive for sustained success.”
Behrendorff is sure to be a handful at Marvel Stadium, which is regarded as one of the toughest batting pitches in the BBL.
WHERE EVERY CLUB SITS
STRIKERS
AVAILABLE LIST SPOTS: 3
LINKED WITH: Mitch Owen (has since re-signed)
Contracted for BBL15: Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Thomas Kelly, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Alex Ross, Matt Short, Henry Thorton
Eligible Free Agents: James Bazley, Brendan Doggett, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, D’Arcy Short, Jake Weatherald
Uncontracted: Fabian Allen, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Liam Haskett, Harry Manenti, Liam Scott
DREAM FREE AGENCY SIGNING: Hayden Kerr
HEAT
AVAILABLE LIST SPOTS: 2
LINKED WITH:
Contracted for BBL15: Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Callum Vidler
Eligible Free Agents: Marnus Labuschagne, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth, Jack Wood
Uncontracted: Tom Alsop, Tom Banton, Paul Walter, Daniel Drew, Tom Straker, Tom Whitney
DREAM FREE AGENCY SIGNING: Tim David
HOBART
AVAILABLE LIST SPOTS: 2
LINKED WITH: Beau Webster
Contracted for BBL15: Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Matthew Wade, Mac Wright
Eligible Free Agents: Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Jake Doran, Peter Hatzoglou, Billy Stanlake, Charlie Wakim
Uncontracted: Shai Hope, Waqar Salamkheil, Marcus Bean, Cameron Gannon, Tim Ward
DREAM FREE AGENCY SIGNING: Jason Behrendorff
RENEGADES
AVAILABLE LIST SPOTS: 2
FREE AGENCY SIGNINGS: Jason Behrendorff
LINKED WITH: Brendan Doggett, Matt Renshaw
Contracted for BBL15: Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Nathan Lyon, Fergus O’Neill, Tom Rogers, Tim Seifert, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa
Eligible Free Agents: Xavier Crone, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Kane Richardson, Gurinder Sandhu, Jon Wells
Uncontracted: Jacob Bethell, Laurie Evans, Hassan Khan, Tawanda Muyeye, Sam Elliott, Ollie Peake, Callum Stow
DREAM FREE AGENCY SIGNING: Matt Renshaw
STARS
AVAILABLE LIST SPOTS: 3
LINKED WITH: Tim David, Mitch Marsh
Contracted for BBL15: Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Marcus Stoinis
Eligible Free Agents: Brody Couch, Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Jon Merlo, Joel Paris, Mark Steketee, Doug Warren, Beau Webster
Uncontracted: Joe Clarke, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Adam Milne, Usama Mir, Austin Anlezark, Peter Handscomb, Blake Macdonald
DREAM FREE AGENCY SIGNING: Mitch Marsh
SCORCHERS
AVAILABLE LIST SPOTS: 2
LINKED WITH:
Contracted for BBL15: Ashton Agar, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
Eligible Free Agents: Jason Behrendorff, Sam Fanning, Nick Hobson, Mitch Marsh, Matthew Spoors, Andrew Tye
Uncontracted: Matthew Hurst, Keaton Jennings, Bryce Jackson
DREAM FREE AGENCY SIGNING: Chris Lynn
SIXERS
AVAILABLE LIST SPOTS: 2
LINKED WITH:
Contracted for BBL15: Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith
Eligible Free Agents: Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Kurtis Patterson, Mitchell Starc
Uncontracted: Akeal Hosein, Jafer Chohan, James Vince, Lachlan Hearne, Hanno Jacobs, Lachlan Shaw
DREAM FREE AGENCY SIGNING: Jason Sangha
THUNDER
AVAILABLE LIST SPOTS: 2
LINKED WITH:
Contracted for BBL15: Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Chris Green, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner
Eligible Free Agents: Pat Cummins, Matt Gilkes, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Nic Maddinson, Will Salzmann, Jason Sangha
Uncontracted: Lockie Ferguson, George Garton, Muhammad Hasnain, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Andrews, Dan Christian, Toby Gray, Blake Nikitaras, Hugh Weibgen
DREAM FREE AGENCY SIGNING: Matt Renshaw
*NOTE: Clubs can only have a maximum of 12 players signed for BBL15 at the closure of the player movement window.
More Coverage
Originally published as BBL free agency window: Every club’s out-of-contract players, list rules
Khawaja reveals shock plea, hits back at ‘retirement’ calls
Usman Khawaja has revealed a shock plea for the veteran to keep playing until this tour as the opener took a veiled swipe at those who had been telling him to retire over the summer.
Khawaja looks to cash in after swipe at critics
Having spoken his mind after a brilliant day one century, Usman Khawaja will be looking to post a massive score in the first Test against Sri Lanka. FOLLOW LIVE!