Ollie Pope, Akeal Hosein Highlight BBL Pre-Draft Signings

Big Bash League franchises bolster squads as Adelaide Strikers sign England's Ollie Pope and Sydney Sixers bring in Akeal Hosein from West Indies. Pope, leading England's Test side against Sri Lanka, aims for T20 success, while Hosein fills the gap left by Steve O'Keefe's retirement.

England's stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope has been signed by the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. Meanwhile, West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein will join the Sydney Sixers. The signings come as the teams prepare to strengthen their rosters ahead of the new season.

Pope, currently leading England in a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to Ben Stokes' injury, has amassed 1295 runs in T20s with an average of 28.77 and a strike rate of 132.82. Despite a challenging stint in The Hundred, where he scored just 35 runs in five innings, the Strikers' new head coach Tim Paine expressed optimism about Pope's dynamic batting and wicket-keeping skills.

Hosein, on the other hand, fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Steve O'Keefe. Hosein will be available for the first seven games of the season, managing commitments with MI Emirates in the ILT20. He had a notable 2022-23 season with Melbourne Renegades, taking 13 wickets in nine matches. The BBL Draft will be held on September 1.

(With inputs from agencies.)