Stars swoop on England's Overton twins in historic BBL first

Melbourne Stars have finalised their international roster for KFC BBL|16 by signing England twins, Craig and Jamie Overton on one-year deals.

The Englishmen are set to become the first set of twins to play in the BBL.

The pair join a long list of famous brothers who have played in the Big Bash, including Shaun and Mitch Marsh, Michael and David Hussey, and currently contracted Sydney Sixers, Ollie and Joel Davies. While identical twins Thomas and Corey Kelly have played together for South Australia and were both on Adelaide Strikers' list, Corey didn't play in the BBL.

Brothers in the BBL

*Bold denotes international pairing

Michael Hussey (Scorchers, Thunder) and David Hussey (Stars)

 

Shaun Marsh (Scorchers, Renegades) and Mitchell Marsh (Scorchers)

 

Alister McDermott (Heat) and Ben McDermott (Heat, Renegades, Hurricanes)

 

Brendon McCullum (Heat) and Nathan McCullum (Sixers)*

 

Ashton Agar (Scorchers) and Wes Agar (Strikers, Thunder)

 

Tom Curran (Sixers, Stars, Heat) and Sam Curran (Sixers)

 

Ben Manenti (Sixers, Strikers) and Harry Manenti (Strikers)

 

Ollie Davies (Thunder, Sixers) and Joel Davies (Thunder, Sixers)

 

Jack Prestwidge (Heat, Renegades) and Will Prestwidge (Heat, Hurricanes)

 

Jono Dean (Strikers) and Blake Dean (Thunder)

 

Jake Doran (Thunder, Hurricanes) and Luke Doran (Thunder, Sixers)

 

Jack Edwards (Sixers) and Mickey Edwards (Sixers)

 

James Pattinson (Renegades, Heat) and Darren Pattinson (Renegades)

 

Jamie Overton (Strikers, Stars) and Craig Overton (Stars)*

The news comes after New Zealand power-hitter Finn Allen was snatched by the Stars from the six-time champions Perth Scorchers on what is understood to be a mammoth three-year deal.

The Stars have now filled all three of their primary overseas list spots for BBL|16. They will still be permitted to sign overseas replacement players to cover for injuries or national team commitments.

The Stars have lured Jamie Overton from the Adelaide Strikers where the 32-year-old has played for the past three seasons since he was picked up in the now scrapped overseas player draft.

Overton ended his first Big Bash season (BBL|13) as the league's equal-leading wicket-taker alongside Brisbane Heat quick Xavier Bartlett with 16 scalps.

The paceman backed up this performance with another 14 wickets in BBL|14, earning him a place in the team of the tournament as Adelaide's MVP.

The former Strikers linchpin will link up with fellow allrounders Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis in a move to set add more depth to the Stars' lineup.

"The Stars play in some of the biggest games in front of massive crowds, so I'm really excited by this opportunity," Jamie Overton said in a statement.

"They've definitely been building as a team and I want to be a part of their success. I always love playing in the Big Bash, so to get the chance to play for one of the most famous clubs in the league is going to be a lot of fun."

Overton has history with fellow new recruit Allen, having been involved in a war or words when the Scorchers faced his former team on New Year's Eve in 2024.

While the two have played against each other on multiple occasions, this upcoming BBL will see Overton and Allen come together as teammates for the first time.

Craig Overton, the older of the Overton twins (born three minutes before Jamie), has experience playing in Australia having made his England debut during the 2017-18 Ashes series in Adelaide.

Like his brother, Overton has caps in Test and one-day international cricket, but he has not featured in the Big Bash previously.

After five seasons with Southern Brave in the ECB's Hundred franchise competition, Overton helped Nottingham-based side Trent Rockets reach this year's final with eight wickets for the tournament.

He's also played 14 consecutive seasons for Somerset, representing his county on 121 occasions in the T20 Blast.

While Craig hasn't played international cricket since 2022, Jamie's availability for BBL|16 will likely hinge on selection for England's ODI series in South Africa, scheduled to begin on January 10.

It is understood that Jamie has committed to at least six BBL|16 fixtures.

The Overtons join Allen and Test-capped spinner Todd Murphy as the four recruits the club has secured since a league-wide contracting embargo was lifted last month.

Melbourne Stars BBL|16 squad (so far)

Contracted for BBL|16: Finn Allen (contracted until BBL|18), Austin Anlezark (BBL|16), Hilton Cartwright (BBL|17), Sam Harper (BBL|17), Liam Hatcher (BBL|16), Campbell Kellaway (BBL|17), Glenn Maxwell (BBL|17), Todd Murphy (BBL|16), Craig Overton (BBL|16), Jamie Overton (BBL|16), Tom Rogers (BBL|16), Peter Siddle (BBL|16), Marcus Stoinis (BBL|16), Mitch Swepson (BBL|17)

 

Uncontracted: Scott Boland, Joe Clarke (England), Sam Hain (England), Blake Macdonald, Hamish McKenzie, Jon Merlo, Haris Rauf (Pakistan), Aryan Sharma, Mark Steketee, Tom Whitney

 

Head coach: Cameron White