BBL 2022-23: England opener Zak Crawley joins Hobart Hurricanes

England Test opener Zak Crawley in a surprise move joined Hobart Hurricanes as an overseas replacement ahead of the 2022-23 season of the Big Bash League (BBL). Crawley will be joining the squad in the month of January, after England’s three-match Test series against Pakistan. The 24-year-old will be filling up for Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, who’ll miss a few games because of international commitments.

This will also mark Crawley’s first overseas T20 competition but given his record in Australia, the opener will be confident of his chances. During the Ashes last time around in Australia, Crawley impressed a lot of former cricketers including Ricky Ponting, who had lauded Crawley after the Sydney Test.

Crawley, who has a terrific record in T20s, can use this opportunity to prove himself in the shortest format and get into the England T20I side. In 47 T20 matches so far, Crawley has scored 1284 runs at a strike rate of 145.08. 

I'm really excited to take part in the Big Bash for the first time: Crawley

After signing for Hurricanes ahead of the new BBL season, Crawley expressed how excited he is to join the squad and expective a successful summer in Australia.

“I'm really excited to take part in the Big Bash for the first time. From afar, the Hurricanes seem to be awash with talent both in terms of the list they have built for on-field success, but also the quality list of support staff they have on it. I'm looking forward to taking part in what I hope will be a very successful summer,” said the English cricketer after signing up for the franchise.

"Zak Crawley is poised to make his Big Bash League debut with the Hobart Hurricanes, after being named as an international replacement player for the Hobart Hurricanes," a statement from Hurricanes read.

Hobart Hurricanes squad for Big Bash League: Asif Ali (Pakistan), Faheem Ashraf (Pakistan), Zak Crawley (England) Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Shadab Khan (Pakistan), Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, Mac Wright