Strikers sign giant quick for BBL|05

The Adelaide Strikers have bolstered their KFC Big Bash League pace battery by signing gigantic Queensland fast bowler Billy Stanlake.

Stanlake, standing at a dizzying 204cm, is the tallest bowler on the domestic circuit and has impressed in his debut season for the myFoot Dr Queensland Bulls in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup this month.

The 20-year-old right-armer’s performances with the new ball for the Bulls earned him selection in the Cricket Australia XI side to combat New Zealand in a two-day tour match in Canberra starting on Saturday, and praise from national selector Rod Marsh.

“Billy Stanlake grabbed our attention when he made his debut in this year's Matador Cup with an intimidating display against South Australia, taking 2-43 from nine overs,” Marsh said.

But even after a superb start to his domestic-career, Stanlake says he was shocked when the Strikers approached him with a contract for BBL|05.

“It was very exciting news to hear and it came as a pretty big surprise to me,” he said. “I didn’t expect it but I’m really looking forward to getting down to Adelaide and getting into it.”  

Watch: Big Bill breaks through

Stanlake has represented Australia at U19 level and is capable of generating speeds of 145kph and producing outswing with a new Kookaburra ball.

Former Australia ODI paceman and Queensland bowling coach Ashley Noffke worked with Stanlake in Brisbane throughout the off-season and says the sky is the limit for the towering quick.

"Billy is an exciting talent," Noffke told cricket.com.au last month. "He is still young in a bowling sense and he's still got a lot of work to be done, but in saying that he has got the raw makings of someone who can go a long way in the game.

"Every pre-season game this year his pace has been up and he's bowling fast again.

"We had the speed gun on him at training and he was definitely in that high 130s to early 140s (kph) again, which is something that's really important to his bowling.

"I'm looking forward to seeing some speed and some good areas from Bill. He's got a lot to offer this year to Queensland and hopefully to Australian cricket." 

Stanlake is not the only signing the Strikers announced today, with New Zealand fast-bowling allrounder Sophie Devine heading to the Adelaide Oval for the inaugural season of the Women’s Big Bash League.

Devine, the White Ferns vice-captain, smashed the fastest fifty in women’s T20 international cricket against India in July, from just 18 deliveries, and going on to total eight sixes and five fours in her 70 from 22.

“It’s a huge honour to be involved with the Adelaide Strikers, and a really exciting time to be involved with women’s cricket, so I can’t wait for the first game,” Devine said.

“I think the WBBL will bring in a lot more girls to the game, hopefully they can see it as a real career option, and see the exciting brand of cricket that women can play.”