Simmons strikes Adelaide deal

Last summer Craig Simmons blasted 102 runs from just 41 balls against the Adelaide Strikers, now the big-hitting left-hander is to join the franchise for the next season of the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Simmons has turned his back on Perth after helping guide them to the BBL|03 championship and struck a lucrative, long-term deal with the Strikers.

“No other player managed a century in BBL|03 and Simmons did it twice,” said Adelaide Strikers coach Darren Berry. "Simmons is a genuine hitter of the ball and an exciting talent.

“He knows what it takes to win a BBL final and we can’t wait to see what he can do at Adelaide Oval.”

Simmons, who was last year famed for fulfilling his duties as an apprentice electrician while sparking Perth to Big Bash glory, was delighted with the prospect of making Adelaide Oval his home base for BBL|04.

"Adelaide's always been known as a great place to bat, and from watching the footy on TV this season with the crowds, and seeing how excited everyone's been, I'm really just looking forward to playing a few games," the 31-year-old said. 

"I saw an opportunity here ... There's a few young players and a few senior players, so I'm looking to play more of a leadership type role, and hopefully we can get the Strikers into the finals."

Perth coach Justin Langer expressed "shock and disappointment" at Simmons' decision.

"He was a bit of a pin-up boy for us," Langer told The West Australian newspaper.

"My reaction was one of shock and, of course, disappointment.

"Craig Simmons is a fantastic bloke and a fantastic West Australian and he was one of the stories of the year of our BBL win last year.

"Over the last couple of years in club cricket, he’s been the outstanding performer.

"That’s why he was a bit of a pin-up boy for us and we were being true to what we were saying in rewarding performance.

"Hopefully people will take great encouragement from the Craig Simmons story of last year."

Simmons, who has signed a three-year deal, will remain eligible to play for Perth in the Champions League T20 tournament and was reported to earn more than $100,000 with Adelaide.

Adelaide are understood to have significant salary cap room, with veteran Brad Hodge also expected to join the franchise this summer.

Callum Ferguson has signed with the Melbourne Renegades and Nathan Reardon struck a deal with the Brisbane Heat, while Michael Klinger, who quit South Australia to join WA for four-day cricket, may also seek a move away from the Strikers.

The 31-year-old Western Power apprentice hit the fastest century in the short history of the BBL when he smashed 102 from 41 balls at the WACA.

He then repeated the effort with 112 in the semi-final against the Sydney Sixers to steer Perth into their third consecutive grand final, and hit 45 against Hobart as the Scorchers won WA’s first silverware since 2003-04.