Brad Young signs with Adelaide Strikers

Brad Young has become the latest veteran spinner to join the Big Bash League after signing with the Adelaide Strikers. Young, 39, has been confirmed as the team's replacement for his fellow left-arm orthodox bowler Jon Holland, who will miss the entire BBL season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Young played six one-day internationals for Australia in 1998 and 1999, and he also took a hat-trick against New Zealand in the semi-final at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, in a match that was not considered an official ODI. He has not played at the elite level since his last appearance for South Australia in 2003 but he impressed the Strikers coach Darren Berry, who trialled Young and Mark Higgs during practice matches last month.

"Brad Young is a great story coming off the surf beach at Grange," Berry told the Advertiser of Young, who has been playing cricket in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association rather than grade cricket. "It was a tough call [between Young and Higgs], but we just felt Brad was better suited to what we are looking for. He will be a handy addition."

Young will be available for the Strikers' next game, against Brisbane Heat on Thursday. He joins fellow veteran spinners Shane Warne and Brad Hogg in this year's BBL - Stuart MacGill was also part of the tournament last summer - and Young believes his age and experience will hold him in good stead for a return to elite cricket.

"I played when Australia were the No. 1 side in the world, I look back with fond memories and hopefully there are a few more over the next few weeks," Young said. "I have a wiser head on my shoulders. I do feel ready, shed a few kilos, the ball is coming out well and I am just trying to get up to speed on the fielding and batting."