Stars sign Merlo, Sixers re-sign Perry

Victorian allrounder Jonathan Merlo returns to the Melbourne Stars for the upcoming season after signing a one-year deal.

The deal signifies a proper return to the Stars and the KFC BBL for the 25-year-old after he played in six games for the Stars last season as a replacement player.

Back in BBL|08 Merlo made his T20 debut with the club going on to make four more appearances across two seasons, before joining the Melbourne Renegades ahead of BBL|10.

His return to the Stars last season was the back of his strong white ball performances for Victoria, where he has a List A hundred and 5-wicket haul. 

Stars General Manager Blair Crouch also signalled out Merlo's "versatility" and "elite fielding" as a drawcard for the club.

After his short stint at the club during BBL|13 Merlo said he "can't wait" to play his part for the team in BBL|14.

Contracted for BBL|14: Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Tom Curran (England), Ben Duckett (England), Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Usama Mir (Pakistan), Joel Paris, Tom Rogers, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Doug Warren, Beau Webster

 

Ins: Tom Curran (Sixers), Hamish McKenzie (Scorchers), Ben Duckett (England), Doug Warren

 

Outs: Nick Larkin (retired)

 

BBL|14 Draft selections: Ben Duckett, Tom Curran (pre-signed), Usama Mir

 

Out of contract: Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Corey Rocchiccioli

"Big Bash is always such a fun time of year and it's always exciting to play in front of our fans at the MCG," said Merlo.

"I really enjoyed my time with the Stars last season and I can't wait to do my part for the team in BBL|14."

Merlo joins bevy of signings over the last few weeks with Brody Couch and Doug Warren both signing on for another year alongside overseas draftees Ben Duckett, Tom Curran and Usama Mir.

The Stars are looking to improve on a disappointing BBL|13 which saw the club finish in the bottom half of the ladder for a second straight year.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Sixers have locked in emerging fast bowler Mitch Perry on a new two-year deal to keep him at the club until BBL|15.

This summer will be the Victorian's second season in the harbour city after returning to the competition last season following a stint at the Melbourne Renegades during BBL|10.

After playing one game during his time at the Renegades, the up-and-coming quick was signed by the Sixers to add a pace option ahead of BBL|14.

The 24-year-old went uncapped in his first season with the club stuck behind experienced bowlers Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis and Jackson Bird preferred by coach Greg Shipperd.

Contracted for BBL|14: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Jafer Chohan (England), Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Akeal Hosein (West Indies), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, James Vince (England)

 

Ins: Akeal Hosein (Renegades), Jafer Chohan (England)

 

Outs: Steve O'Keefe (retired), Tom Curran (Stars)

 

BBL|14 Draft selections: James Vince, Akeal Hosein (pre-signed), Jafer Chohan

Despite the lack of T20 opportunities, Perry has featured for Victoria since making his one-day debut as a teenager and recently had a breakout Sheffield Shield campaign where he took 23 wickets from 10 games.

Sydney Sixers General Manager Rachel Haynes said re-signing Perry was about the club "looking ahead to the future".

"We're incredibly lucky as a club to have had such a consistent group together for a significant amount of time, but it's important that we're always looking ahead to the future and to the next crop of young players coming through the ranks," she said.

"For Mitch, the opportunity to be around our squad and to work with some of the most experienced players and coaches in the world, will continue to benefit him greatly."

Perry's re-signing offers flexibility and depth for the Sixers pace bowling stocks which remains almost unchanged from the list that made its all the way to the Final last season.

The club covered the retirement of veteran spinner Steve O'Keefe at the draft when they selected spinners Akeal Hosein and Jafer Chohan from the West Indies and England respectively.

The Sixers will be looking to go one better in BBL|14 and start the hunt for its next championship against the Melbourne Renegades at the SCG while the Stars start their season against the Perth Scorchers on December 15.