Sydney Sixers have signed West Indies Test skipper Jason Holder to help defend their Big Bash League title.
Holder has agreed to play for three games following his country’s Test series against New Zealand.
He is allowed to travel between New Zealand and Australia without a quarantine period due to the travel bubble that exists between the two nations.
The 29-year-old will be available to feature against Adelaide Strikers on December 20, Melbourne Stars on December 26 and Melbourne Renegades on December 29.
He will be used in those three games to cover for England’s Tom Curran, who needs to quarantine for 14 days following England’s trip to South Africa. Holder joins England’s James Vince and countryman Carlos Brathwaite at the Sixers.
“I'm really excited to be coming to the BBL and the Sydney Sixers,” He said.
“I've wanted to for a few years now and this year I have the opportunity to come in and make some appearances and hopefully do a bit for the Sixers.”
“BBL cricket is an interest for me and the Sixers have been successful over the past few years. Moises and I played together at Sunrisers and I really enjoyed that. It will be good to do it again.”
Hussain boosts Melbourne Stars
Meanwhile, Pakistan pace bowler Dilbar Hussain has agreed to return to Melbourne Stars ahead of this year’s tournament.
He made his debut during BBL 09 and returns after Haris Rauf was ruled out of his own Big Bash return due to international duty.
Hussain has been re-signed as the Stars' third overseas player and is available for the entire tournament.
Despite a shaky start last year, when he ended with figures of 1-56 from four overs on debut, he showed more promise in the Pakistan Super League with Lahore Qalandars.
“I'm looking forward to working with Dilbar again this season and supporting his development together with our wider bowling group,” said Stars head coach David Hussey.
“His Stars debut was a whirlwind last year – it was his first senior T20 match and he effectively came down to Melbourne at very short notice and ended up bowling to AB de Villiers at the MCG.
“He's a genuine 140km/hr bowler with a good yorker and an incredible slower ball. With another year of experience and his time in the PSL, we're keen to see what Dilbar brings to the table for us this year. The fact that not many players have faced him before can be a real advantage for us.”
“I'm very happy to be coming back to the Melbourne Stars for the Big Bash,” Hussain said.
“In the short time I was with the club last season I learnt so much. I'd like to thank David Hussey who was incredibly supportive and encouraged me to keep working on my craft.”
