Seam bowler Fergus O’Neill has signed a two-year Big Bash deal with Sydney Sixers after coming off contract at Melbourne Renegades, and talk persists he could yet trade Victoria for New South Wales in the longer format.
The 25-year-old played only two matches for the Renegades last season, part of a modest career tally of 12 T20s. His reputation has really been built with the red ball for Victoria, where he has pushed into Test conversations.
“The Sixers have set the standard in the BBL for a long time, so to be joining a club with that culture and history is really exciting,” O’Neill said. “I’m looking forward to working with the coaches and playing alongside a strong bowling group, and hopefully contributing to more success for the team.”
Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes added: “Fergus is a proven performer in domestic cricket and someone we believe has the tools to be highly effective in the T20 format for our club. He’s relentless with the ball, brings great professionalism, and will add real strength and depth to our bowling group over the next few seasons.”
The Sixers, beaten finalists last summer, will also spend the winter hunting a new head coach after parting company with Greg Shipperd. That vacancy, plus O’Neill’s arrival, has only fuelled chatter he could relocate permanently to NSW, although nothing has been signed on that front.
Victoria coach Chris Rogers, speaking earlier in the week, sounded upbeat. “Like all players, he wants to feel valued and I think all parties are working through this to make sure he’s playing where he belongs and everyone’s happy,” Rogers said. “These are things that happen in a player’s career, but I know he knows how much we support him and believe in him and hopefully that will all get put to bed soon.”
For now O’Neill heads to England in April, starting a fresh two-year County Championship stint with Nottinghamshire. That schedule means another heavy workload, yet he sees the English seasons as crucial for stretching his skills at first-class level and, maybe, nudging the national selectors.
No guarantees, plenty of options – a decent place to be for a young quick still working out exactly where home will be next summer.
