Surrey and England left arm seamer Reece Topley has joined Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming edition of the Australian Big Bash League.
27-year-old Topley, who has been with Surrey for two seasons, will travel to Australia after the ongoing T20 World Cup. The BBL begins on the 5th December and runs until 26th January.
Topley has taken 36 wickets across first-class and T20 cricket, including 15 scalps that helped Surrey to the final of the 2020 Vitality Blast. He has also played 13 ODIs and 6 T20Is for England with his most recent appearances coming in India earlier this year.
He’ll join one other Surrey player already confirmed for this year’s competition. Our new signing Daniel Worrall will again represent Adelaide Strikers, who he joined ahead of last year after spending the entirety of his BBL career at Melbourne Stars before that.
Also in Australia during this time will be the England and England Lions squads, who fly out on Thursday. Rory Burns and Ollie Pope are part of the senior squad while Ben Foakes & Jamie Smith are in the Lions group.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Melbourne Renegades,” Topley said.
“Playing in the Big Bash is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve been to Melbourne so many times, so I’m really excited to represent one of my favourite cities.
“I was out in Melbourne the year (the Renegades) won it, I was at the game as well and I’ve got incredible memories from that night. I know quite a lot of the guys already so I look forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some new guys as well.
“I like to bowl in those pressure scenarios, I like to try to close out games or take wickets with the new ball. I really embrace that challenge and look forward to taking on whatever role I’m given.”
