BPL the start of something big for Ross Whiteley

Worcestershire all-rounder Ross Whiteley hopes that his (Bangladesh Premier League) BPL stint would help him make a mark and spark interest from other teams.

The all-rounder will fly for Bangladesh this week to play for Sylhet Sixers in the seven-team tournament starting on November 4.

Whiteley believes that BPL would help him gain recognition and help him find more suitors from other parts of the world – in leagues such as the Big Bash.

Ross Whiteley's rapid hitting, where he hit six sixes in an over against Yorkshire's Karl Carver had attracted the attention of Sylhet franchise.

He said: "I am never fazed by anything like that. I quite enjoy going to new places and seeing new things so that side of it is exciting.

"I can't wait for the opportunity to go out there and spend some time in a place I've never been and kind of learn about new conditions, ways of playing cricket and try and learn from some of the fantastic players that are in that tournament as well.

Whiteleley knows England's Liam Plunkett, who is also going to play for the Sylhet Sixers this season.

"I know Liam quite well, probably first out in Adelaide a few years ago. He came over for a bit of training when I was on the Darren Lehmann Academy and we have kept in contact.

"I've been doing the research on who my new team-mates will be and am flying out about a week before the tournament to get used to the conditions."

"It's my foot in the door. I've got a chance to really perform and put my name out there.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to do that. Now it's up to me to perform and potentially get another tournament.

"If you can get your name out there and do something special…..it only takes one or two innings really to get people talking so it's quite an exciting time ahead for me.

"Hopefully this is the start of something big for me and I'm looking forward to it."

Waqar Younis in Sylhet

Pakistan's former legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis is in Bangladesh to promote an event by the Sylhet Sixers. The Sixers arranged a pace-bowling hunt event to give prizes to the future fast bowlers. Waqar Younis also arrived to promote the Sylhet Sixers ahead of the upcoming edition of the BPL. The former Pakistan coach flew to Sylhet after arriving in Bangladesh. His visit is set to last for two days.

Waqar said: "Sylhet are a new team. I wish them all the best. There initiative to find fast bowlers is really commendable. I hope Bangladesh will find good bowlers through this initiative."

Regarding the BPL, Waqar said: "BPL is doing really well. It is improving every year. Bangladesh are improving through the BPL as well and it is something that has caught the eye."