The one-year deal will see the spinner relocate to Hobart over the off-season, adding his new Tigers deal to the two-year Hurricanes contract he signed at the end of the recent Big Bash season.
Dooley was arguably the break-out star of KFC BBL|12. After playing a single Big Bash League game for the Brisbane Heat in BBL|11 as a COVID replacement player, Dooley signed his first fully-fledged Big Bash contract with the Hurricanes in BBL|12.
Whilst initially talked about for his unique bowling action, Dooley quickly became one of the leading wicket-takers of the season, bamboozling some of the world’s best batsmen with the ‘double windmill’. He finished the season as the Hurricanes second-highest wicket-taker, with a total of 19 wickets to his name at an average of 12.79.
Despite some unfortunate luck with injuries throughout the season, Dooley went on to play 10 games in his breakout season for the Hurricanes, and was named in the League’s Team of the Tournament, as well as also finishing runner up in the Hurricanes’ Player of the Tournament votes.
Although this is the 25-year-old’s first state contract, Dooley made his List A debut for his home state of Queensland in the final game of the 2022-23 season, where the Bulls held on for a last-gasp win over New South Wales.
“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.”
“We are really excited to have Paddy joining our Tigers program from next season,” said head coach of the Tasmanian Tigers male program, Jeff Vaughan.
“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. 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.
“He had a great debut season for us in the Big Bash on the field, but most importantly, he was a great fit with our group, so we’re looking forward to having him down here year-round and seeing what he can continue to achieve during his time with us.”
The full Tasmanian Tigers 2023-24 contract list will be announced next week.
