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Welsh batter Aneurin Donald has earned a major opportunity, as he has reportedly signed a deal with defending champions Perth Scorchers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2026-27 in Australia. The 29-year-old earned the BBL contract, having impressed with his powerful batting in the format.
The upcoming Big Bash League 2026-27 will run from December to January and feature England’s several big names, including former England captain Ben Stokes, Jamie Overton, and Chris Jordan. Earlier, Ben Stokes’ Ashes 2027 comeback on the cards, feels Chris Woakes.
Aneurin Donald lands BBL deal after explosive rise
Aneurin Donald made his T20I debut for England last month and became the oldest batter to make his debut for the team in the format since Dawid Malan in 2017. He played all three matches against Sri Lanka. However, Donald failed to score big, but his powerful six-hitting ability caught everyone’s attention.
His T20 strike rate over the last two years is reportedly the second-highest in the world, behind only India's young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Donald is currently travelling to Pakistan with England's ODI team and will stay in Australia after the white-ball series next month.
As reported by the Daily Mail Sport, the Perth Scorchers have signed the England batter Aneurin Donald for the upcoming Big Bash League 2026-27. He will now look to use his hitting skills to make an impact for Perth Scorchers in the BBL 2026-27 in Australia.
Thomas Rew and Eddie Jack set for T20I debut in Australia
England's upcoming T20I tour of Australia will also provide an opportunity to uncapped players Thomas Rew of Somerset and Eddie Jack of Hampshire. Amid this, MS Dhoni to become CSK mentor, confirms Ravichandran Ashwin.
Both Rew and Jack will travel to Australia for the five-match T20I series after white-ball matches for England Lions against West Indies A in the Caribbean. The West Indies A side is being managed by Ottis Gibson, who is reportedly the leading candidate to become Durham's head coach this winter.
England Lions' squad is expected to include most of the nine players who received 12-month development contracts from the England and Wales Cricket Board. However, Yorkshire all-rounder Matthew Revis will miss out after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon.
Zak Crawley signs new deal with Kent
Meanwhile, England's discarded Test opener Zak Crawley has signed a new 12-month contract with Kent after losing his place on England's central contracts list. This means Kent will pay his wages for the first time in six years, as the ECB had been responsible for his salary since he received a central contract in 2020.
The 28-year-old last played an ODI against Sri Lanka in January after the Ashes in Australia. England's director of cricket, Rob Key, has said that Crawley's international career is not necessarily over. However, Crawley struggled to make a big impact in county cricket last season.
He failed to score a century in 12 County Championship appearances as Kent finished second in Division Two. Crawley has now confirmed his commitment to Kent and will aim to help the team compete in the top division next summer.
