Harry Dixon lands BBL deal, hopes to emulate David Warner

Sep 13, 2023 at 5:56 AM
Harry Dixon lands BBL deal, hopes to emulate David Warner

Harry Dixon is eighteen years previous, has been blazing runs for Australia Under-19s, idolises David Warner, and has simply been handed a two-year cope with Melbourne Renegades.

Dixon, a left-handed opener, has been extremely regarded across the Victoria grade system – he hit his maiden hundred for St Kilda within the ultimate spherical of final season – and has simply come off a memorable few days in England the place he made 167 and 83 within the first Youth Test at New Road.

In the primary innings, he raced to a century earlier than stumps on the primary day and his second-innings runs got here from 52 balls, including 156 in 17.2 overs with Sam Konstas, as Australia A chased for 191 in 21.2 overs.

“I was on 66, maybe, with about 40 minutes left in the day, then hit a couple of boundaries in one over and told myself I was going to get a hundred before the close of play,” he informed ESPNcricinfo. “[In the second innings] we went out there and wanted to have a bit of freedom. We didn’t plan to have it all come off that way, but we got to drinks and were both hitting them pretty well. Good to get the boys a rest day, too, which was nice.”

Earlier this 12 months, Dixon made 148 off 125 balls in the one-day series when England Under-19s got here to Australia. The title of the batter he most admires is, maybe, subsequently not fully a shock.

“I’ve always idolised David Warner,” he stated. “Seeing him grow up as a T20 player and then be able to play all three formats as well as he has done is hopefully something I want to do in the future. He has been incredible and done a lot for the country, hopefully, I can be pretty similar and get into the Aussie team and play all three formats.

“I’d like to consider myself as somebody who can probably sooner or later play all three codecs. Think I confirmed that within the final couple of sequence in opposition to England which is sweet.”

Dixon does not yet have a state contract, although he will spend some time training with Victoria in the coming weeks, but there is a strong chance that will come next season. However, he has been snapped up for the BBL.

Renegades first showed interest during the Under-19 series in Australia during February, then moved in for a deal after the recent Top End tournament in Darwin where Dixon played for the opposite side of town as part of the Melbourne Stars Academy. He made a couple of starts, including 32 of 14 balls opening against Pakistan A.

He is certainly going to have some experience to learn from with Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Quinton de Kock part of Renegades’ squad.

“Can’t wait to share a locker room with guys like Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Nathan Lyon,” he said. “Looking ahead to getting caught in and studying as a lot as I can and changing into the perfect participant I will be. Regardless of nevertheless many video games I play, simply being round and coaching with these boys can be unbelievable for my improvement as effectively.”

Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten was pleased to add more young talent to their experienced list.

“Harry’s one of many nation’s most promising batters and we’re thrilled to have him agree to hitch our membership,” Rosengarten stated.

“We’ve bought a wealth of skilled gamers inside our group and likewise some thrilling younger expertise like Will Sutherland and Harry. Harry has all of the attributes to be a profitable participant on this format of the sport for a protracted time period.”

Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo