Hampshire star’s new deal, Middlesex in turmoil and a potential Overton reunion

It is a week that has once again shone a spotlight on the changing face of modern cricket. This time it is the Big Bash opening its doors to private investment, whether that is domestic or from further afield. The i Paper understands that at least two of the ownership groups involved in The Hundred are actively looking to take a stake in Australia’s domestic T20 competition. One of those is GMR, who own the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, and Hampshire and the Southern Brave in England. The group have previously looked to build closer ties with New South Wales, leading to speculation that they could look to buy a stake in either the Sydney Sixers or the Sydney Thunder. If they did, it would complete the set for the Indian giants, handing them a presence in Australia, after establishing the Capitals brand domestically and in England, South Africa, Major League Cricket in the US and also in the UAE’s ILT20 competition. An exciting free agent Somerset have opted not to sign Savin Perera ahead of next season (Photo: Getty) Elsewhere, with the domestic season entering its final weeks, there are still players on the lookout for an opportunity in 2027 and beyond. It is understood that Somerset will not be taking up the option to sign Savin Perera, despite the 27-year-old scoring heavily for the West Country side since arriving in July. The former England under-19 international scored two fifties in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and hit a double century and unbeaten 157 for the county’s second XI in August. His eye-catching form won’t have gone unnoticed elsewhere. Overheard in Derbyshire Perera is a graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) and two of his former teammates have also been in county action this month. Both Ajay Khunti and former Essex batter Feroze Khushi have been playing for Derbyshire’s second XI in a bid to catch Mickey Arthur’s eye before the season is out. Felix Organ has spent his entire first-class career at Hampshire to date (Photo: Getty) Further south, Felix Organ has signed a new deal with Hampshire, who look almost certain to be relegated following their latest defeat to title chasers Nottinghamshire. The 27-year-old all-rounder, who made his debut for Hampshire as far back as 2017, has been given greater opportunities under Russell Domingo this summer. Along the coast, it looks increasingly likely that John Simpson could remain at Sussex for another season. The wicketkeeper had been linked with a move to Nottinghamshire. Middlesex in turmoil It has been another tumultuous week at Middlesex, with director of cricket Alan Coleman leaving his role and captain Leus du Plooy unable to play for the rest of the season following an administrative howler. On the field, The i Paper understands that they are keen to bring in a back-up wicketkeeper for next season. Joseph Eckland, the former England under-19 international who has spent this summer at Gloucestershire on a short-term contract, could be a potential target. The 22-year-old has scored two hundreds and two fifties in his last five innings for Gloucestershire’s second XI. Read more Chris Stocks: England vs Pakistan series player ratings – with 0/10 for one batter Chris Stocks: English cricket’s eight winners and eight losers from a truly chaotic summer A potential reunion And finally, the Overton brothers could be reunited this winter. Reports Down Under suggest that Craig is being lined up as a potential signing for the Melbourne Stars. His brother Jamie has already signed a six-game deal with the franchise for this winter’s competition.