Mitch Owen, the unsung hero of the Big Bash final, has secured his first international deal in South Africa following his outstanding batting performance. Despite only playing two BBL games for the Hobart Hurricanes before this season, Owen smashed a 39-ball hundred, matching the fastest in tournament history, to lead his team to victory and attract the attention of international franchises. The 23-year-old, who amassed 452 runs during the BBL season, has signed with the Paarl Royals in the SA20 competition as a replacement for English star Joe Root. Part of the Rajasthan Royals worldwide family of teams, Owen may also be considered for the Indian Premier League as a replacement player.
Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis’ preparation for the Champions Trophy has been jeopardized by a potential hamstring injury suffered while bowling for the Durban Super Giants. After scoring an unbeaten 55 off 40 balls in a recent match, Stoinis only managed a brief bowling spell before leaving the field with what appeared to be a hamstring issue. Despite the setback, DSG captain Keshav Maharaj remains optimistic about Stoinis’ recovery, describing him as a resilient player.
Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign is set to kick off on February 22 against England in Pakistan, with Stoinis’ availability for the tournament uncertain. Owen, on the other hand, is set to join the Royals for the tournament finals in South Africa after their impressive performance in the league. The cricket world eagerly awaits to see how both players will fare on the international stage in the upcoming competitions.
Follow Franchise Cricket for more BBL news.
