Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Flame-haired fan favourite Lloyd Pope will light up the BBL and Adelaide Oval for summers to come after signing a three-year deal to stay with the Adelaide Strikers.
A wizard with his wrong ‘un, Pope forged a dynamic partnership with fellow leg spinner Cameron Boyce last season that netted 27 wickets between them as the Strikers stormed to within a win of the BBL final.
“It’s a great thrill to sign a three-year deal after enjoying such a great first season with the Strikers,” Pope said.
“I’m really looking forward to joining forces with Cam again this summer and building on the momentum we were able to generate in the second half of BBL|13.
“As a local boy, there’s nothing better than bowling at Adelaide Oval in front of the fantastic Strikers fans and I can’t wait for the season to begin.”
The 24-year-old made a memorable debut in blue in last January’s First Nations Round game against Perth Scorchers at Adelaide Oval where he claimed the wickets of Australia white-ball batters Josh Inglis and Aaron Hardie.
Pope then followed that performance with a stunning display against Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval, snaring three wickets in the space of four deliveries to finish with figures of 4-24, the best return by a Strikers bowler in BBL|13.
In his next outing – the Knockout Final against the Scorchers on their home track – he almost bettered that effort with a remarkable 4-24 in the Strikers’ 50-run triumph against the reigning champions.
Pope finished his first season in blue with 13 wickets from six matches, including the lowest average (14.23) and best strike rate (9.69) of any bowler to claim 10 wickets or more in BBL|13.
“Lloyd showed us last summer what an outstanding asset he is and, in tandem with BBL|13 Team of the Year member Cameron Boyce, was a key factor in the Strikers’ charge to the finals,” Interim General Manager Cricket Shaun Williams said.
“We believe with the dual spin threat that pair poses, along with the speed of Henry Thornton, Brendan Doggett and Jordan Buckingham plus the batting firepower provided by Matt Short, Chris Lynn and D’Arcy Short, Strikers fans can be excited about the season ahead.”
The Strikers begin BBL|14 with a return to Manuka Oval to tackle the Thunder on December 17, with blockbuster games scheduled for Adelaide Oval against Melbourne Stars (December 20), Hobart Hurricanes (December 27), Perth Scorchers (New Year’s Eve), Brisbane Heat (January 11) and Sydney Sixers (January 15).
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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.
