Billy Stanlake is an Australian fast bowler who plays for the Hobart Hurricanes. Born on 4 November 1994 in Hervey Bay, Queensland, he’s a right-arm quick and — at 204 cm — the tallest player ever to represent Australia. Stanlake has played 9 ODIs and 19 T20Is for his country, and after years of injury hell he’s fighting his way back into the national picture.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Billy James Stanlake |
| Born | 4 November 1994, Hervey Bay, QLD |
| Country | Australia |
| Height | 204 cm (6 ft 8 in) — tallest Australian international ever |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm fast |
| BBL team | Hobart Hurricanes (previously Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars) |
| State team | Tasmania (previously Queensland) |
| Australia | 9 ODIs, 19 T20Is |
Background & Early Life
Stanlake grew up on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, playing Australian rules football for the Hervey Bay Bombers — his father Warren played for Footscray in the VFL, and his brother Jack is also a cricketer. The family moved to the Gold Coast in 2001, where Billy started cricket at Southport-Labrador. He made his first-grade debut for the Gold Coast Dolphins at just 16, and it was clear the game had found a rare physical talent: a teenager already brushing 200 cm who could genuinely bowl fast.
Test Career
Not played yet. Stanlake has been mentioned by selectors as a Test-depth option thanks to his bounce and his 13 first-class matches (40 wickets at 26.92), but injuries have always interrupted at the wrong time.
ODI Career
Stanlake was a surprise call-up for Australia, making his ODI debut against Pakistan on 13 January 2017. In 9 ODIs he’s taken 7 wickets at 54.28 with a best of 3 for 35. The remarkable part of his ODI story is the comeback: in May 2026 he returned to the ODI side on the Pakistan tour, playing at Rawalpindi — his first international in more than seven years. A side injury then cruelly ruled him out of the ODI series against South Africa, with Jack Edwards replacing him. The door, though, is ajar again.
T20I Career
Stanlake made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka on 17 February 2017, and the short format is where he’s looked most at home internationally. In 19 T20Is he’s taken 27 wickets at 20.14 with a best of 4 for 8. His steep bounce and vicious yorker made him a genuine weapon when fit — but injuries kept stopping him. A fractured shoulder and multiple back stress fractures cost him his Cricket Australia contract ahead of 2019-20. His pace could touch 150 kph when fit — the body just wouldn’t cooperate.
Domestic Career
In May 2022, Stanlake left Queensland for Tasmania in search of a fresh start. It worked. He rebuilt his body and his rhythm, and in 2025 he impressed in the Top End T20 in Darwin (4 wickets at 6.08 economy), earned an Australia A call-up against Sri Lanka A, and then that remarkable ODI recall for the Pakistan tour. Across 13 first-class matches he’s taken 40 wickets at 26.92. His county experience includes a 2021 stint with Derbyshire, where he dismissed Nick Browne and Alastair Cook on debut against Essex before a stress fracture ended the trip early — the story of his career in miniature.
Franchise Career
Stanlake has played in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2017) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018). Across 93 T20 matches overall he has 96 wickets at 26.98 with a best of 4 for 8. The BBL has been his main franchise home, though — the Strikers (including their BBL|07 title, where he took 11 wickets at 22.36), then the Stars via the Daniel Worrall trade, and now the Hurricanes.
BBL Career
Stanlake’s BBL story is one of reinvention. He was part of the Strikers’ BBL|07 title win (11 wickets at 22.36), then moved to the Stars, and eventually found a home in Hobart. He’s now on a two-year Hurricanes deal that runs to BBL|16. He became a key figure for the Hurricanes in BBL|12 and played an important role in their title-winning BBL|14 campaign — although cruelly, he missed the final itself after fracturing his shoulder taking a catch against the Renegades.
Season-by-Season Highlights
- BBL|07 (2017-18): Title winner with the Adelaide Strikers — 11 wickets at 22.36.
- BBL|12 (2022-23): Key figure for the Hurricanes after his move to Tasmania.
- BBL|14 (2024-25): Important part of the Hurricanes’ title-winning campaign, but missed the final after fracturing his shoulder against the Renegades.
- BBL|15 (2025-26): Continued with the Hurricanes on his two-year deal.
- BBL|16 (2026-27): Final year of his Hurricanes deal, alongside Nathan Ellis and with big new signing Adam Zampa in the squad.
Playing Style & Strengths
Stanlake’s height is his weapon — the ball comes down from the clouds, hits the deck, and climbs steeply. His yorker is one of the best in the country when he’s firing. Few batters enjoy facing a 204 cm bowler hitting 145 kph. When the action holds together, he’s genuinely unplayable on his day: steep bounce, late swing, and a bouncer that follows you. The challenge has never been talent — it’s been staying on the park.
Recent Form & What to Watch
The May 2026 ODI recall was the emotional high point of Stanlake’s comeback — a first international in seven years. The side injury that followed was a cruel setback, but the selectors clearly still believe: Test-depth whispers persist, and his Hurricanes form will decide what comes next. For BBL|16, a fit Stanlake leading the Hurricanes’ pace attack with Nathan Ellis is a scary prospect for opposition top orders. Watch the speed gun early in the season — if it’s touching 145, the comeback is real.
Key Stats
| Format | Mat | Wkts | Avg | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 0 | — | — | — |
| ODIs | 9 | 7 | 54.28 | 3/35 |
| T20Is | 19 | 27 | 20.14 | 4/8 |
| BBL | ~51 | 53 | 26.98 | 4/8 |
| First-class | 13 | 40 | 26.92 | — |
Last verified: 18 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Billy Stanlake?
Stanlake is 204 cm (6 ft 8 in) — the tallest person ever to represent Australia in international cricket.
Which BBL team does Billy Stanlake play for?
The Hobart Hurricanes on a two-year deal running to BBL|16. He previously played for the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars.
Why did Stanlake miss the BBL|14 final?
He fractured his right shoulder taking a catch against the Melbourne Renegades and missed the Hurricanes’ title win.
See the BBL 2027 schedule for Hurricanes fixtures, meet the other BBL 2027 teams, and check the BBL 2027 points table once the season starts.