Hard-hitting Canberra batsman Jono Dean could form a devastating one-two punch with master blaster Craig Simmons after signing a two-year contract extension with the Adelaide Strikers.
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Dean has re-signed with the Twenty20 Big Bash League team for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 summers as reward for a solid debut season.
His retention gives the Strikers a powerful opening pair after they snared Simmons from the Perth Scorchers on a three-year deal earlier this week.
Simmons was the breakout star of the BBL last season, smashing two incredible centuries and becoming the only player in the tournament to pass three figures.
The likely departure of English opener Alex Hales – who is reportedly in the sights of the Hobart Hurricanes – opens up the possibility of Dean joining Simmons as the opening partnership.
''He smashed it in a couple of games and one of them happened to be my debut where he scored the fastest hundred,'' Dean said.
''I'm looking forward to the potential opportunity to bat with him at the top of the order and hopefully he whacks a few fours and sixes in the process.
''We're very similar in a sense in that our role in the game would be to take it on and try and get the team off to a flyer.''
Dean earned his shot with the Strikers after smashing 51 from just 40 balls for the Prime Minister's XI against the West Indies in 2012-13.
The 29-year-old ACT Comets captain finished with a strike rate of 184.37 from his four games and gave the Strikers plenty of attacking firepower.
He was delighted to be able to extend his stay at the Adelaide Oval.
''I'm absolutely stoked,'' Dean said.
''It's a fantastic feeling to be involved in the BBL again and especially with the Strikers.
''I can't wait to get stuck in.''
That includes becoming a permanent part of the side and trying to feature in as many games as possible.
''I got a few opportunities last year and felt I did OK, but not to my lofty standards, so I'd like to do a little bit more,'' Dean said.
''Hopefully (coach Darren Berry) and the guys give me another opportunity and I can stay at the crease a little longer and score some more runs.
''I just want to maintain my fitness and get a little bit stronger because it's a pretty tough competition physically and mentally and I want to round off my game as much as I can facing the quicks and the spinners.''
