Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers are delighted to announce the commitment of three key squad pieces today with the re-signings of Wes Agar, Liam O’Connor and Harry Conway.
Agar, a Striker since BBL|06, is the 2020 Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year, an award also etched with the names Brett Lee, Shane Watson and David Warner. The recognition came on the back of Agar also being named the Neil Dansie Medal winner as the most outstanding South Australian male cricketer.
Taking the field in blue 17 times to date, Agar has claimed 19 wickets, including best figures of 4/33. That performance came during a thrilling away victory over the Hurricanes in BBL|09.
Leg-spinner O’Connor, a BBL|07 Championship player, returns for a fifth season with the Strikers. His 18 career fixtures have yielded 13 wickets, with best bowling of 3/30. Those figures came at Adelaide Oval in January of this year in a game against Brisbane Heat that the Strikers would go on to win by 10 wickets.
In that clash, O’Connor sparked a stunning collapse of 8/47 when he deceived Chris Lynn, luring him into a false stroke that was then caught by Rashid Khan. The leggie also picked up the crucial wickets of Jimmy Peirson and Ben Cutting to see the Heat rolled for 100.
Conway made his BBL debut with the strikers last season, snaring five wickets in his five appearances. The quick is an exciting prospect that represented Australia as a junior in the Under 19’s World Cup in 2012. During the tournament, he snagged a remarkable hat-trick, hitting the stumps with three consecutive deliveries.
The 28-year-old also has 29 first-class fixtures to his name. During that time, he has amassed 78 wickets including a handful of five-wicket innings and one ten-wicket match. With best figures of 5/14, Conway has repeatedly shown he is a dangerous proposition with ball in hand.
Strikers Head Coach Jason Gillespie spoke of his excitement for the BBL season ahead off the back of the latest signings:
“To have Wes, Liam and Harry recommit to the Strikers is a fantastic result and a great sign for the future of our side. Our squad has excellent depth and balance, and the re-signing of those three players only adds to that.
This is a group that is raring to go and we just can’t wait to get out there and give the fans some entertainment throughout BBL|10.”
Agar and Conway have re-joined the Strikers on three-year commitments, with O’Connor on a two-year deal.
Name of Author: Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers are an Australian professional Twenty20 cricket team based in Adelaide, South Australia, competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Established in 2011, they succeeded the Southern Redbacks, who played in the now-defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The Strikers play their home games at the Adelaide Oval and wear a cornflower blue uniform.
