Fast-bowling all rounder Jamie Overton is set for a second summer in blue after Adelaide Strikers secured Overton in their first selection in today's KFC BBL draft.
A crucial factor in the Strikers' late-season charge to the finals of BBL|13, Overton finished his maiden campaign as Adelaide's leading wicket-taker – and equal fourth highest in the competition – with 16 at an average of 17.31 from his nine appearances.
A powerful middle-order hitter, Overton also averaged 42.5 with the bat at a strike rate of 139.3 and almost carried the Strikers across the line against Sydney Sixers by taking 15 from the final over in a match at the SCG where he also snared 3-23.
It was those sorts of performances that saw the 30-year-old become one of four Strikers named in the BBL Team of the Tournament named by the eight club coaches, alongside powerhouse batters Matt Short and Chris Lynn, and leg spinner Cameron Boyce.
Among bowlers to have claimed 10 or more career wickets for the Strikers, only current squad member Lloyd Pope (9.69) boasts a better strike rate than Overton's 12.88 while Pope (14.23) and fellow leg spinner Adil Rashid (14.13) are the only Strikers bowlers with a superior average.
Overton, who has represented England at Test level with a highest score of 97 and made 140 T20 appearances in his 12-year top-level career to date, joins his Surrey teammate and pre-draft signing Ollie Pope at the Strikers for BBL|14.
Joining the squad is left-arm spinner and power-hitter, Fabian Allen, after being selected in round three of the BBL draft.
Since featuring in the West Indies U19 World Cup squad in 2014, Allen has consistently shown a special talent through his range of shots and handy left-arm spin.
Allen made his first-class debut for Jamaica at the age of just 21, but soon found his passion for the white-ball formats. Two years later in 2018, he was selected in the West Indies ODI and T20I squads for the tour of India.
With an impressive strike rate of 135.35 in T20Is, Allen’s power and all-rounder ability will be a significant contribution to the Strikers squad in BBL|14.
Adelaide Strikers' season begins against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on 17 December.