News Details

Ollie Pope signs for Adelaide Strikers

England's current stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope has signed with Adelaide Strikers for the BBL.

 

Pope, who is leading England against Sri Lanka due to Ben Stokes' hamstring injury, will be available for Strikers after the Test tour of New Zealand which finishes on December 18 which means he will miss at least their first match.

 

Pope will be looking to build on a T20 record of 1295 runs at 28.77 and a strike-rate of 132.82. He had a lean time in the recent Hundred for London Spirit where he made 35 runs in five innings.

 

He will have a chance to team up with Ashes adversaries Travis Head and Alex Carey, the latter who has signed a new four-year deal, when they are available for the BBL for a short window after the India Test series.

 

"Ollie Pope is an exceptional talent with a proven track record at the highest level," Tim Paine, Strikers' new head coach, said. "His dynamic batting style and wicket-keeping abilities are a fantastic addition to our squad."

 

It was confirmed earlier in the week that Strikers had not taken allrounder Jamie Overton as their pre-draft signing but they will be able to use their retention option if needed during the draft itself if they wish to bring back the England allrounder who had a huge impact last season.

 

AAP reported that Rashid Khan has not nominated for the draft meaning he will miss the BBL for the second consecutive season after being ruled out by injury last year. Afghanistan have international cricket scheduled during the first part of the BBL then Rashid has signed for the SA20.

 

The BBL draft will take place on September 1.

England Ollie Pope Adelaide Strikers Big Bash League Jamie Overton