Scorchers lose Hussey, North
The defection of former WA captains Mike Hussey and Marcus North to Sydney-based Big Bash franchises will be confirmed today.
Hussey will play for Sydney Thunder and North will join the Sixers.
The move of the former Test left-handers and Perth Scorchers players has been expected for months, but will be confirmed when the official Big Bash announcement period starts today.
Hussey's Thunder deal will include a Cricket Australia promotion contract that will pay him several hundred thousand dollars above his Big Bash deal.
He is set to captain the Thunder, who were a basket case last season, failing to win a game.
West Indies import Chris Gayle had an abysmal series for the Thunder despite being one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Hussey played three games for the Scorchers last summer, including the two finals.
Hussey's link to the Thunder, who failed to win a match last season, was strengthened when young NSW all-rounder Gurinder Sandhu indicated this week that he was looking forward to playing under the 38-year-old.
Hussey's manager, Neil Maxwell, said last month that money would not be the motivating factor when his client decided whether to play on.
North was the Perth captain at the ill-fated Champions League tournament in South Africa last year, but quit on the return journey.
He was replaced as captain by Simon Katich, but played every Big Bash match for the Scorchers, scoring 121 runs with a strike rate of 94.
North has a year to run on his Warriors contract, but was dropped midway through last season after averaging just 15.
He is playing for Glamorgan this winter.
North and Hussey are eligible to play for the Scorchers at this year's Champions League in India, though Indian Premier League team Chennai have the right to retain Hussey.
