From Hogg to Hussey, here are some of the biggest player moves in the short history of the KFC Big Bash League
Biggest BBL player moves
On Monday the Melbourne Stars bolstered their batting order with the blockbuster signing of BBL two-time leading run-scorer Ben Dunk.
Dunk’s signature is a coup for the Stars and the latest entry in what’s becoming a long list of star players moving between clubs.
Below is a look back at some of the biggest player moves in the six-year history of the KFC Big Bash League.
Glenn Maxwell
When: 2012-13
From: Melbourne Renegades
To: Melbourne Stars
What happened: Having played six matches for the Renegades in the inaugural season of the BBL, Maxwell swapped red for green and jumped ship to crosstown rivals the Stars. The departure of Maxwell, and veteran Brad Hodge, didn’t deter the Renegades, who finished the regular season in first place with seven wins from eight matches before bowing out in the play-offs. In his six seasons with the Stars, Maxwell has scored 674 as his star, pardon the pun, has continued to rise in Australian cricket.
Mike Hussey
When: 2013-14
From: Perth Scorchers
To: Sydney Thunder
What happened: The Thunder were at rock bottom after a winless season in BBL|02. The struggling BBL club needed a new direction and found it in Hussey, who moved from the Perth Scorchers after they were beaten in the BBL final by Brisbane Heat at #TheFurnace. Hussey took over the captaincy, became influential in recruitment and ultimately provided the club with a dependable batsman. In his first year, BBL|03, the Thunder won one match. The next year, two. By year three, the culture at the Thunder had well and truly changed, and so had the squad, with international superstars Jacques Kallis and Andre Russell headlining the group. That was the year it all came together. The Thunder won four regular season games to finish fourth and then off the back of Usman Khawaja’s stunning form and Hussey’s leadership, they beat Melbourne Stars – who were captained by Hussey’s younger brother Dave – in the final at the MCG to win the club’s maiden title. Hussey retired following that match but is still with the club as its list manager.
Brad Hogg
When: 2016-17
From: Perth Scorchers
To: Melbourne Renegades
What happened: After playing every match for the Scorchers in the first five seasons of the BBL, Perth’s favourite son shocked #TheFurnace and signed with the Renegades. Not only was Hogg an absolute tongue-wagging fan favourite in Perth, he was, and remains, the club’s highest wicket-taker and one of the most economical. His move certainly ruffled some feathers in the west but it was the Scorchers who had the last laugh. While the Renegades with Hogg failed to make the finals last year, Perth finished top of the table and went on to win a third BBL crown in six seasons. Hogg, 46, is uncontracted at present but it would shock no-one if he found a club for BBL|07.
Pat Cummins
When: 2012-13, 2014-15
From: Sydney Sixers, Perth Scorchers
To: Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder
What happened: Australia’s pace prodigy went from one side of the country to the other and back again in the space of a couple of seasons while courting injury. Cummins never played a match for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL but he was integral in the club’s 2012 Champions League success in South Africa. However, before that tournament had started the right-armer had already signed with the Perth Scorchers for BBL|02. Injury ruled him out of the 2012-13 season but a year later Cummins played four matches for Perth including the successful final against the Hobart Hurricanes. That was the last game Cummins played for Perth before heading back home to Sydney, though this time with the Thunder. While he’s played 11 games in electric green since his arrival, unfortunately none of them were in the triumphant BBL|05 campaign.
Ben Laughlin
When: 2014-15
From: Hobart Hurricanes
To: Adelaide Strikers
What happened: He might not be the biggest name on this list, but in terms of BBL impact there have been few better. Laughlin, who has mastered the craft of off-speed cutters, is the leading wicket-taker in BBL history with 69 wickets in 50 matches. It’s a remarkable achievement from the right-armer and why his signing from the Hurricanes was a major coup for the Strikers in 2014. He’s captured 34 wickets in 25 matches for Adelaide to be just three behind club leader Kane Richardson.