South African slugger signs with Hobart as early season cover for English star Dawid Malan

The Hurricanes have secured another big signing for this year’s BBL, with former Adelaide Striker Colin Ingram joining the group until Dawid Malan arrives from international duties. ALL THE DETAILS >>

• Tasmania secures Big Bash bonanza
• English star locked in for Cane train

HOBART has ensured it will be armed with some explosive Big Bash firepower while Dawid Malan serves his quarantine requirements after signing South African slugger Colin Ingram.

Ingram, who played two seasons with the Adelaide Strikers in BBL|07 and BBL|08, will be available for the tournament opener against the Sydney Sixers on December 10.

In 25 games for the Strikers the powerful left hander plundered 610 runs at an average of 30.5 and strike rate of 138.95, while also captaining the side on 14 occasions when Travis Head was on international duties.

Colin Ingram of the Adelaide Strikers bats during the Big Bash League match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Hobart Hurricanes at Adelaide Oval on January 21, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

He looms as the perfect foil with Malan — who will miss the start of this year’s tournament while on England’s white ball tour of South Africa — unavailable until the Hurricanes meet the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on December 27.

“It’s absolutely awesome news to have signed up with the Hobart Hurricanes,” Ingram said. “[I’m] really excited to get out and play cricket again.

“The BBL holds fond memories for me playing in Australia. Unfortunately I didn’t play last year, but the two years before … it was fantastic to be playing in such a prestigious tournament, and that time of the year Australia all buzzing for cricket so it’s going to be great to get out and be part of that again.

“People here in South Africa, and also the UK, wake up early in the morning that time of the year and get some exciting evening cricket in from Australia, [so] it’s a fantastic brand.”

Hobart will have both the 35-year-old and Malan, the world’s top ranked T20 batsman, available at the same time for a short period until Ingram returns to South Africa for its domestic ODI tournament.

Colin Ingram will fill the void for the Hurricanes while the world’s No. 1 T20 batsman Dawid Malan is unavailable. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Coach Adam Griffith, who will return home after finishing his coaching stint in the IPL, said securing Ingram further bolsters the side’s hopes of capturing an elusive title.

“Colin is a very experienced player who has had great success in past editions of the Big Bash League.

“Although he won’t be with us for the whole tournament, he will provide stability and explosive power to our batting order before Dawid joins the group.”

It was announced last week the Big Bash will kickstart in Tasmania, with the state hosting eight matches in 10 days at both ends of the state.

Four of those will feature the Hurricanes.

Follow @ajsmiddy