Nottingham: The Melbourne Stars have made an official approach to Twenty20 superstar David Warner to return to the Big Bash League, declaring he is the biggest name in the game.
Stars director of cricket Trent Woodhill told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald Warner would be offered as long or short a contract as he wanted should he agree to head to Melbourne.
The Stars are keen to recruit David Warner.Credit:AP
The Stars believe he could play up to five matches at the back end of next season, including finals, when there is a break in Australia's international commitments.
"We want him. It's a just a matter of whether he is available. We are holding a spot open for him," Woodhill said.
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"We definitely would like to get him with us. You want the best players playing at the MCG and there is no bigger name worldwide, including Virat Kohli, than David Warner."
Woodhill has been Warner's long-time batting coach since their time together in NSW and is good friends with Warner's wife, Candice.
"He is probably the best Twenty20 player in the world. It's a good fit. We can refine his game face to face for a change, rather than on WhatsApp," he said.
Warner would effectively play as one of the Stars' two imports, leaving last year's runners-up with one overseas player, that being Nepalese spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane, should he agree to terms.
BBL sources said the Stars had made a tentative approach to Steve Smith but Warner was the preferred option. Smith is likely to sign with his former franchise, the Sydney Stars.
Warner's manager James Erskine had said the two Sydney franchises, including the Thunder, were also options for the Sydney-based Warner, but he was open to playing in Melbourne.
Woodhill said he didn't expect Warner, the leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League this season, to return to a Sydney club.
"There is no reason for him to play with the Thunder again. The only reason he would stay there is because it was an easy fit for him. But Melbourne is pretty easy for him and the kids," he said.
Warner has had two stints with the Thunder (2011-12 and 2013-14) and one with the Sixers but due to international commitments, he has not played since.
Erskine said a deal with Fox Sports, the pay television broadcaster of the BBL, would need to be done to help finance Warner's move.
That would seem a done deal, considering Fox Sports' head of television Steve Read More – Source
Nottingham: The Melbourne Stars have made an official approach to Twenty20 superstar David Warner to return to the Big Bash League, declaring he is the biggest name in the game.
Stars director of cricket Trent Woodhill told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald Warner would be offered as long or short a contract as he wanted should he agree to head to Melbourne.
The Stars are keen to recruit David Warner.Credit:AP
The Stars believe he could play up to five matches at the back end of next season, including finals, when there is a break in Australia's international commitments.
"We want him. It's a just a matter of whether he is available. We are holding a spot open for him," Woodhill said.
Advertisement
"We definitely would like to get him with us. You want the best players playing at the MCG and there is no bigger name worldwide, including Virat Kohli, than David Warner."
Woodhill has been Warner's long-time batting coach since their time together in NSW and is good friends with Warner's wife, Candice.
"He is probably the best Twenty20 player in the world. It's a good fit. We can refine his game face to face for a change, rather than on WhatsApp," he said.
Warner would effectively play as one of the Stars' two imports, leaving last year's runners-up with one overseas player, that being Nepalese spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane, should he agree to terms.
BBL sources said the Stars had made a tentative approach to Steve Smith but Warner was the preferred option. Smith is likely to sign with his former franchise, the Sydney Stars.
Warner's manager James Erskine had said the two Sydney franchises, including the Thunder, were also options for the Sydney-based Warner, but he was open to playing in Melbourne.
Woodhill said he didn't expect Warner, the leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League this season, to return to a Sydney club.
"There is no reason for him to play with the Thunder again. The only reason he would stay there is because it was an easy fit for him. But Melbourne is pretty easy for him and the kids," he said.
Warner has had two stints with the Thunder (2011-12 and 2013-14) and one with the Sixers but due to international commitments, he has not played since.
Erskine said a deal with Fox Sports, the pay television broadcaster of the BBL, would need to be done to help finance Warner's move.
That would seem a done deal, considering Fox Sports' head of television Steve Read More – Source
