Essex have recruited Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques for the 2020 T20 Blast.
Henriques recently captained the Sydney Sixers to the 2019-20 Big Bash League in Australia recently. They beat the Melbourne Stars in the final.
Henriques will join Essex in May. He will play alongside Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa at the T20 Blast defending champions. Essex, meanwhile, are priced at 4.33 by bet365 to win the 2020 County Championship Division One.
“I'm delighted to be joining Essex Eagles for the Blast,” said Henriques.
“The opportunity to join the reigning champions and the challenge of defending the title is something I'm really excited about.”
The 33-year-old Henriques has previously played for Glamorgan and Surrey in the United Kingdom. He has also represented the Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.
He played four Tests, 11 ODIs and as many T20Is between 2009 and 2017. He, however, has not played for Australia in the three years since.
Essex eager to have Henriques
“I've been following Moises' career for a while now and I think he's exactly what we need going into this year's Blast campaign,” added Essex head coach Anthony McGrath.
“He's been excellent in the IPL and was instrumental for Sydney Sixers in their recent Big Bash success. His runs got them over the line on plenty of occasions and it's clear he's an excellent leader too, so I have no doubt he'll be a great fit in our dressing room.”
Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, meanwhile, will join Middlesex for the T20 Blast. He is currently with Australia's T20I squad in South Africa.
Marsh also boasts plenty of IPL experience with the Deccan Chargers, Pune Warriors and Rising Pune Supergiants. He was with the Pert Scorchers for the 2019-20 Big Bash League.
“Mitch is a hard-hitting batsman, steady medium-fast bowler and athletic in the field,” said Middlesex head coach Stuart Law.
“The experience he's had in different T20 competitions around the world will be a real plus for our dressing room.”
He will be team-mates with Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman at Middlesex.
Middlesex lost the 2019 T20 Blast quarter-final to Nottinghamshire by 10 wickets.
