Adelaide Strikers secure Ollie Pope, Sydney Sixers add Akeal Hosein for BBL 14

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Adelaide Strikers signed England's interim Test captain Ollie Pope while the Sydney Sixers have onboarded West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein. Both players are actively involved in their current matches, with Pope facing Sri Lanka and Hosein participating in a T20I against South Africa.

‌Adelaide Strikers revealed Ollie Pope's addition through an announcement on their official website. Head coach Tim Paine commented on the signing and said, “Ollie Pope is an exceptional talent with a proven track record at the highest level. His dynamic batting style and wicket-keeping abilities are a fantastic addition to our squad.” He further added, “We're thrilled to have him on board and believe he will be a key player for us this season. His experience and leadership will undoubtedly elevate our team.”

The 26-year-old acknowledged his inclusion in the Strikers squad and said, “Signing with the Adelaide Strikers is an incredible opportunity for me. I've been watching the Big Bash since I was a kid, and it's always been a competition I've been eager to be a part of. Adelaide is such a fantastic city with a vibrant cricket culture, and the Adelaide Oval is one of the most iconic grounds in the world.”

With regular Test captain Ben Stokes sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Pope has taken charge of the England team for their ongoing three-match series against Sri Lanka.

Pope will be eager to up his T20 record, where he has already amassed 1,295 runs at an average of 28.77 and a strike rate of 132.82. However, he recently struggled in The Hundred, managing only 35 runs across five innings for London Spirit.

Meanwhile, the Sixers secured West Indies spin wizard Hosein for the upcoming season. The left-arm orthodox bowler is set to fill the gap left by the retirement of Steve O'Keefe, who was a key player for the Sixers last year.

Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said in a statement, “ With the retirement of Steve O’Keefe last season, we identified a gap for us to fill and Akeal is going to play a key role for us in that position. Aside from being one of the best spinners in the world, we know Hosein is a great team person and someone who will fit in well with our group and our fans will love to watch this summer.”

In 57 T20I matches, Akeal Hosein has taken 48 wickets with an economy rate of 7.42. During the 2022-23 season, he impressed with the Melbourne Renegades, claiming 13 wickets in nine matches.

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