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Trade deal sends Dunk to Strikers

Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers reach a deal before trade window closes

The KFC Big Bash League has its third ever trade after a deal between the Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers.

The Hurricanes will send the big-hitting Ben Dunk back across Bass Straight to Adelaide, while Hobart bring home promising young bowler Hamish Kingston.

The Hurricanes and Strikers struck their trade in the final hours before the league's trade window closed on Friday afternoon.

Dunk topped the tournament run tally in BBL|03 with 395 at an average of 43.88 and was named Player of the Tournament. He smashed the Australian List A record high-score of 229 not out in the 2014-15 Matador Cup and a spot in Australia's T20 side followed.

Vintage Dunk slams rapid fifty

"To sign a previous Australian T20 representative and a former player of the tournament is really exciting for our fans, and gives our squad great depth and an injection of experience," said Strikers General Manager Bronwyn Klei.

Hurricanes Cricket Manager Andrew Dykes said securing young local talent was worth the trade-off to part with a proven performer in Dunk.

"Hamish is a wonderful death bowler who performed really well at the most recent Matador Cup," Dykes said.

"We were really keen to add some extra depth to our death bowling in particular and as a bowling allrounder he provides us with more batting options in the lower order as well.

"We feel this is a good long term outcome for Ben who was in the last year of his contract with us and we thank him for his big contribution to the Hurricanes over his four seasons with us.  

The Hurricanes have two spots to fill on their playing list for BBL|06, with the club hunting for another allrounder who can bat.

"We think it's important to have someone in our top six who can bowl and by getting this trade done we've opened up an opportunity to sign someone who ticks this criteria," said Dykes.

"We are currently in discussions with potential candidates for the final two Hurricanes contracts for BBL|06 and we hope to make an official announcement in the next few weeks regarding these players."

Adelaide this week also added Wes Agar – younger brother of Perth Scorchers spinner Ashton – and the Australia U19 fast bowler displayed his potential with a promising showing in this year's Matador Cup.

Previous trades have seen Callum Ferguson move to the Melbourne Renegades, while the first player-for-player trade saw spinner James Muirhead head to Perth while Michael Beer joined the Melbourne Stars.