Dooley signs with Tasmania and could get red-ball opportunity
The unorthodox left-armer was the leading spinner in last season's BBL
ESPNcricinfo staff
03-May-2023
Paddy Dooley had an excellent season for Hobart Hurricanes • Getty Images
Left-arm spinner Paddy Dooley has been handed his first state contract after signing a one-year deal with Tasmania.
Dooley, 25, whose unorthodox action was modelled on Jasprit Bumrah, was one of the breakout stars of last season's BBL with Hobart Hurricanes having initially played for Brisbane Heat during the 2021-22 campaign among the raft of Covid replacements.
He finished with 19 wickets in 10 matches for Hurricanes, making him the leading spinner in the competition, then made his List A debut for Queensland in February but will now look to forge his domestic career in Tasmania.
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"I'm really excited to have signed my first state contract and to be joining the Tigers next season," Dooley said. "I had a great time and learnt a lot working with Jeff and all of the players and staff at the Hurricanes last season, so it's great for me that there's also that cross over into the Tigers program in a lot of ways.
"I absolutely loved my time down in Tasmania during the Big Bash, and this year will be a completely new experience for me living as a full-time cricketer, so I can't wait to get down there and get stuck in."
Tasmania head coach Jeff Vaughan believes that Dooley could make a mark in red-ball cricket.
"Paddy has obviously found his way into domestic cricket through the white ball game, but I think he also has the potential to play all three formats for us," he said. "To have him supported in a full-time program such as ours, where he has access to all of the strength and conditioning and other training he needs outside of his cricket skills, we think will really be of benefit to him as a cricketer."
Dooley is Tasmania's second signing in the off-season after they brought in Jake Weatherald from South Australia. Their full list is due to be announced next week and will include some significant departures with Peter Siddle returning to Victoria and Ben McDermott heading to Queensland. Pace bowler Jackson Bird is also set to return to New South Wales.