Reports: AB de Villiers set to ink a big deal with one of the BBL franchises

South African batsman AB de Villiers is set to earn a huge deal with his upcoming Big Bash League participation if reports are to be believed. Earlier it was reported that De Villiers’ team was trying to get him a BBL contract and they were in talks with a few franchises and now the news has emerged that he is close to inking the deal with one team that earns him something around R3.5 million (A$ 350,000).

De Villiers, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to play cricket, retired from International cricket after playing 114 Tests, 228 ODI matches and 78 T20I matches in a career spanning from 2004-2018. He made 8765 runs in Tests, 9577 runs in ODIs and 1672 runs in T20I matches. Now the 35-year-old will be travelling down under to test the T20 waters there, as BBL is widely thought to be the second-best league after the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Sydney Sixers in pole position to get AB

As per reports, AB de Villiers is close to signing a big deal with Sydney-based franchise Sydney Sixers and the deal would see Cricket Australia and local broadcasters contribute financially as well. “We would be absolutely delighted to have AB join the Sixers and have made an offer for this summer,” Sixers general manager Jodie Hawkins was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

“We understand there are a number of BBL clubs wanting to welcome AB, but we believe we offer him a great option to experience the Big Bash, living in Sydney by the beach, playing at one of his favourite grounds, the SCG, and just enjoying what Sydney offers in summer, that’s a pretty good proposition. He’d also be great working with some of our young stars like Josh Philippe, and meeting our incredible fans,” Hawkins further elaborated on the matter.

If AB joins the Sixers’ franchise, he will be playing alongside former national teammate Morne Morkel, who has also signed a deal with them for the upcoming season of the BBL. Meanwhile, De Villiers has made 441 runs in 12 innings in the ongoing IPL 2019, with five scores of over 50 at a strike rate of 154.73 and an average of 49.00.

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