Hurricanes lock in top ranked T20 batsman, international teammate also set to join fourth BBL team

Hobart has secured the services of the world’s best ranked Twenty20 batsman in a major coup for both the franchise and the Big Bash – and his England teammate is also headed south.

• Tasmania poised to host Big Bash bubble
• Returning to Canes a “no-brainer” for talented duo

THE top ranked Twenty20 batsman in the world is officially a Hurricane — and an English teammate will join him for BBL|10.

Hobart has confirmed Dawid Malan has put pen to paper for this summer’s Big Bash and the Mercury understands the side’s second import, athletic quick Chris Jordan, is also locked away.

Malan rose to the top of the ICC’s T20 rankings following an impressive series against Australia last month, where he produced scores of 66, 42 and 21.

England's Dawid Malan bats during the first Twenty20 cricket match between New Zealand and England at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on February 13, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE

The recently turned 33-year-old has only played 16 matches for his country but has already blasted a ton and seven half centuries, averaging 48.7 at a strike rate of 146.6.

His addition to the Hurricanes line-up gives the top order plenty of destructive firepower — even without skipper Matthew Wade and potentially fellow opener D’Arcy Short — due to international commitments.

“The Big Bash is recognised as one of the leading T20 leagues in the world, and I’m excited to be joining the Hurricanes,” Malan said.

“I love the whole ethos of Australian sport, and really enjoy playing in front of Aussie crowds.”

Jordan will join his fourth BBL franchise, having had stints with Adelaide and Sydney Thunder and playing with Perth last summer.

Chris Jordan of the Scorchers celebrates the wicket of Daniel Sams of the Thunder during the Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Thunder at Optus Stadium on January 20, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

He featured alongside Malan in the three-match series against Australia and is currently playing in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab, where he helped the franchise secure an incredible victory against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday night.

Jordan sent down the second super over for his side after the teams could not be separated following the first super over.

A third Englishman, dynamic Surry batsman Will Jacks, has also been linked to the Hurricanes as cover for Malan, who could miss the early stages of the BBL due to England’s proposed limited-overs tour of South Africa.

Jacks holds the unofficial record for the fastest century in a professional match when he cracked a century from just 25 balls in a 10-over practice match in Dubai last March, which included six sixes in one over.

Will Jacks of Surrey bats during the T20 Vitality Blast Final between Surrey and Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston on October 04, 2020 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for Surrey CCC)

A rescheduled Big Bash fixture is yet to be released, but Tasmania remains a strong chance to host the opening rounds of the tournament.

“My understanding is discussions are going well. In terms of hubs and other constructs, that will depend on where the country is at in terms of its own borders as we move forward,” Premier Peter Gutwein said.

But there are very positive discussions going on between the league, Cricket Tasmania, Cricket Australia and public health.

“[There is] none as yet [a timeline] but we are getting to the Big Bash end of the year and we’ll need to have an answer on that very soon.

“I would expect that the framework that Dr Veitch mentioned in terms of large events will assist in that process and I hope to say something more on that later this week.”

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