Ben Dunk signs a 2-year contract with Melbourne Stars

Tasmania batsman Ben Dunk has inked a 2-year deal with Melbourne Stars, on Monday ( 4th September). The explosive opener represented Adelaide Strikers during the 2016-17 season of BBL and turned out to be the highest run-getter with 364 runs. Previously, Dunk has played for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League. The 30-year old has played 5 T20I games for Australia, scoring 99 runs at a strike rate of 143.47.

Known for his dominant stroke-play, Dunk scored a stylish unbeaten 229 while playing for Tasmania against Queensland in Australia’s domestic one-day fixture. His name went down the record books, as it was the first double hundred in Australian cricket.

Dunk excited to work with Fleming

“I’m really excited to join the Melbourne Stars,” Dunk said. “It’s a great opportunity to work with Stephen Fleming and new captain John Hastings. I’m looking forward to joining up with the squad this summer to work on our pursuit of a Big Bash League title,” he added. Dunk has played 72 T20 games in his career and scored 1679 runs with a best of 96.  In first class matches, Dunk has maintained a solid performance. In 43 matches, the left-handed batsman has scored 2303 runs.

Coleman roped in

Apart from Dunk, the Stars have also roped in Victorian pacer Jackson Coleman as the replacement to the injured Hastings. Coleman has picked up three wickets in two List A games for Victoria in his short career so far.  “To secure the experience of Ben is really exciting. He’ll obviously bolster an already strong batting line-up and to have another ‘keeping option is a real positive,” Trent Woodhill, Stars Director of Cricket, said. “Jackson is a young talent and his left-arm pace will provide us with greater bowling options this season. We can’t wait to see how he develops this season to push for a Stars debut,” he added.