Cummins set to sign with Perth Scorchers

Pat Cummins is expected to join last year's Big Bash League runners-up the Perth Scorchers, who have re-signed the veterans Simon Katich, Michael Hussey and Marcus North. Cummins was part of the Sydney Sixers squad last summer but did not play a game due to his long-term foot injury, and his participation this season will again depend on his fitness and his international duties.

Stuart Clark, the general manager of the Sydney Sixers, said on Fox Sports that Cummins would not be part of the Sixers squad this season, and he is believed to be joining the Scorchers. Clark also said that Cummins, whose injury problems continued this month when he was sent home from the ODI tour of England due to a side strain, needed to be handled carefully.

"We all have to be on one wavelength with Pat Cummins, because he's a fine prospect," Clark said on Fox Sports. "No one is ever questioning that. But the last thing he needs is you telling him to do more weights and [someone else] telling him to do more running. The poor kid is just confused. He needs one solid training programme, probably set by Cricket Australia, and then run with it."

The Scorchers have not confirmed signing Cummins, but they have retained three important batsmen on their roster for next season. North will again captain the side and will be joined by Katich, who has retired from all other cricket in Australia, while Hussey's appearances for the side will again be dictated by his Australia commitments.

"It is great to have the skipper back on board," Lachlan Stevens, the Scorchers coach, said. "Marcus is one of the most tactically astute players in the game today, and to have him involved in the planning and strategic direction of the team was very important to us.

"I'm delighted that the only time we will see Simon Katich at top level cricket this summer it will be under the Perth Scorchers banner. The strength of character and tactical awareness that he provides helped to make us such a competitive side last year. He adds massive value on and off the field and we can't wait to see him back.

"Mike Hussey represents everything that is positive about Western Australian cricket, so to have him as part of the Scorchers line-up was a big priority for us, and we are very pleased that he chose to remain in the orange this season. We may not see Mike day in, day out, but merely having him as part of our squad is a huge benefit to every member of the team."

Daniel Vettori, who will play with the Brisbane Heat, remained the only international signing in the opening stages of the contract window, but Clark confirmed the Sixers were interested in attracting Sunil Narine, the West Indies spinner. Narine was the player of the tournament in this year's IPL and, depending on West Indies' schedule in December and January, will be keenly sought after by the BBL sides.

"We're looking at Sunil Narine," Clark said. "There's just some conflicting schedule issues with the West Indies Cricket Board. Hopefully we'll be able to get him across for at least part of the season. If we can then he'll be a fine prospect for us moving forward. We've still got some contract stuff to go, but he's one player we're looking at."

In other signings on Wednesday, Nathan Hauritz confirmed he would remain with the Brisbane Heat, and Johan Botha was confirmed as the captain of the Adelaide Strikers.