The Perth Scorchers are reportedly confident of keeping Josh Inglis if he plays in the BBL next season, but have run the risk of losing the Aussie Test player to a rival club by not re-signing him. Inglis was arguable the biggest name who became a free agent on Tuesday when the window for teams to re-sign players ended.
The Melbourne Stars inked new deals with Glenn Maxwell and Campbell Kellaway, while the Adelaide Strikers held onto Jerrssis Wadia, and Tom Rogers remained with the Melbourne Renegades. But Inglis and Adam Zampa were among the big names not to re-sign before the nine-day free agency window opened on Wednesday.
Josh Inglis has been with the Perth Scorchers for nine BBL seasons. Image: Getty
It’s understood the Scorchers baulked at re-signing Inglis because he’ll likely be part of Australia’s squad for next January’s tour to India. If Inglis plays in next summer’s Test series against New Zealand and then heads to India afterwards, he’ll play little to no role in the BBL.
The Scorchers believe Inglis will re-commit if he looks like being available for BBL next summer, but at least two clubs on the east coast have reportedly expressed their interest. Inglis has been with the Scorchers for nine seasons and is an important member of their all-conquering team that won a sixth BBL title last week.
He’s played 83 games for the Scorchers, as well as five Tests, 33 one-day internationals and 41 T20 internationals for Australia.
Josh Inglis is one of the biggest names to hit BBL free agency.
(Cricket Australia via Getty Imag)Usman Khawaja and Adam Zampa among big free agents
Usman Khawaja, who recently retired from international cricket, is also a free agent after failing to re-sign with the Brisbane Heat. And Michael Neser also opted not to re-sign with the Heat at this stage amid interest from the Sydney Thunder.
Zampa is said to be drawing plenty of interest from rival clubs after not striking a new deal with the Renegades. And Chris Lynn is also a free agent after failing to re-commit to the Adelaide Strikers. The 36-year-old Lynn has signed one-year deals for the last four seasons, and is likely to decide at a later date whether he goes around again next summer.
Test superstars Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon are all free agents, with their participation in the next BBL season highly unlikely. BBL general manager Alistair Dobson said on Tuesday: “The calibre of names among the off-contract list ensures clubs, players and fans alike will have plenty to consider over the next nine days.”