Australia fast bowler Andrew Tye has officially brought the curtain down on his Big Bash League journey. At 39, the veteran pacer announced his retirement ahead of the Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers clash, marking the end of a memorable BBL career. At the same time, Tye has locked in a big new chapter, signing a two-year deal with Yorkshire to play in the Vitality Blast.
Tye first burst onto the BBL scene back in 2013. While he became a familiar and feared face for the Perth Scorchers over the years, his journey actually began with the Sydney Thunder. Fittingly, his final BBL appearance will come in Melbourne Renegades colours.
Born in December 1986, Tye made his way through Western Australia’s junior cricket system and later represented Australia at the highest level. He featured in both ODI and T20I cricket for the national side, earning a reputation as a reliable and clever fast bowler.
Andrew Tye retires as the second-highest BBL wicket-taker
Andrew Tye started his professional career at the age of 26 and quickly showed his potential. After three strong years, he earned his Australia debut at 29. He went on to play 7 One-Day Internationals and 32 T20 Internationals for his country.
The 2021/22 season was a historic one for him. Tye became the first Perth Scorchers fast bowler to reach 100 wickets in Big Bash League history. By the time he announced his retirement, he had collected 162 BBL wickets, placing him second on the all-time wicket-takers list. His final BBL game will come against his former team, the Perth Scorchers, adding a touch of nostalgia to the moment.
Over the years, Tye was a consistent match-winner for the Scorchers. He picked up 159 wickets for the franchise alone and delivered standout performances season after season. His best campaign came in 2022/23 when he grabbed 26 wickets, surpassing his own record of 25 wickets from the 2021/22 season.
A new chapter with Yorkshire in the Vitality Blast
Andrew Tye is not stepping away from cricket just yet. He has signed a two-year deal with Yorkshire and will continue playing T20 cricket in the Vitality Blast.
“Everyone saw a post regarding my signing with the Yorkshire Team for the Vitality T20 Blast, but what that post did not mention was that I have signed as a local player, which means this will be my last season in the BBL,” stated Andrew Tye in his retirement statement.
Famous for his deadly knuckleball, Tye has long been a nightmare for batters, especially at the death. His skill and experience have already paid off in England, where he has taken 86 wickets across six previous Vitality Blast seasons.
Andrew Tye’s T20 career at a glance
During his international T20 career, Andrew Tye picked up 47 wickets, while he claimed 12 wickets in ODI cricket for Australia. Beyond the international stage, he has also taken 27 wickets in First-Class cricket and 148 in List A matches.
Tye has truly been a globetrotter in the shortest format. He has played T20 cricket across major leagues, including the Big Bash League, Major League Cricket, Vitality Blast, PSL, and the IPL. Across five IPL seasons, he represented four different teams: Gujarat Lions, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Lucknow Super Giants.
In total, Tye has featured in 249 T20 matches and taken an impressive 343 wickets. His best figures stand at 5/17, and he has recorded three five-wicket hauls. He also holds the unique achievement of three BBL hat-tricks and one hat-trick during his debut IPL season in 2017.
As Andrew Tye says goodbye to the Big Bash League, he leaves behind a legacy built on skill, innovation, and consistency, while still looking forward to making an impact in T20 cricket around the world.
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