BBL clubs interested in West Indies allrounder following his World T20 heroics
BBL clubs target big-hitter Brathwaite
West Indian Carlos Brathwaite could return to Australia this summer with up to three KFC Big Bash League franchises reportedly interested in signing the star allrounder.
Brathwaite won a legion of new fans with his powerful hitting and exuberant celebrations during his debut Test series in Australia last summer, providing a rare high point in a disappointing campaign for the tourists.
Those performances alone would have tweaked the interest of BBL clubs, but his match-winning effort in the World T20 final last month - and $886,100 price tag he earned in the Indian Premier League auction - has made him one of the most sought-after players in the world.
Hobart Hurricanes have publically expressed an interest, while News Corp is reporting Sydney Sixers and one other franchise are also in the mix.
"We made contact with him before the World Cup, so disappointed that he put himself up in lights actually," Hurricanes general manager Michael Roberts told News Corp, tongue in cheek.
"There’s a fair bit of interest in him now, not just in Big Bash but world cricket. The ball is in his court now. We’re waiting for him to come back with further discussions.
"You need these internationals to come in and really embrace what Big Bash is about without the ego ... from what I’ve heard about Carlos, he’s the perfect Big Bash model player."
Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara has one season left on his contract with the Hurricanes, while Hobart's other international player from BBL|05 - Brathwaite's West Indies captain Darren Sammy - is not contracted for the coming season.
The Sixers could well have two international vacancies on their roster; it's expected South African born allrounder Johan Botha will be granted Australian citizenship this year, while Englishman Michael Lumb is yet to sign on for BBL|06.
Seven of the eight franchises have at least one international vacancy on their roster for the coming season, with Melbourne Stars the exception having already re-signed English duo Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright.
Following his World T20 final heroics - where he hammered four consecutive sixes to win the title for the Windies - Brathwaite declared himself available to make his BBL debut.
"Well hopefully, that’s also a dream,” he said of playing in Australia.
"Once the franchises are interested and once Test cricket or international cricket allows then I’m available.
Quick Single: Brathwaite 'available' for Big Bash League
"David Hussey has been speaking to me since we played together at the (CPL team, the Antigua) Hawks Bills.
"I don’t think it’s ever quite materialised but congrats to him as well with Melbourne (Stars) and the job he’s been doing with them, but whatever opportunities arise, I’m available."
Brathwaite has continued his good recent form in his limited chances with the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL; he's hit seven sixes from 23 balls faced in the tournament and boasts a strike rate of 260.86, while he's also picked up four wickets with his medium pace.
West Indian players could again be in high demand this BBL season with the side not scheduled to play international cricket between November and February.