West Indies Test captain Jason Holder has signed up with Sydney Sixers for a three-game cameo in the Big Bash League which bowls off next week, marking his first stint in the glitzy Australian T20 tournament.
The 29-year-old all-rounder, currently on tour of New Zealand with West Indies, will feature between December 20-29 following the conclusion of the two-Test series against the Black Caps.
“I’m really excited to be coming to the BBL and the Sydney Sixers,” said Holder, who captains Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League and led them to the title two years ago.
“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.”
With the move, Holder joins fellow Barbadian and out-of-favour Windies all-rounder, Carlos Brathwaite, who recently inked a deal with Sixers.
Holder and Brathwaite are two of four West Indies players set to turn out in the December 10 to February 6 Big Bash, with left-hander Nicholas Pooran down to represent Melbourne Stars and Keemo Paul set for a spell with Hobart Hurricanes.
Pooran and Paul are also part of the current West Indies touring party in New Zealand and like Holder, will not be subjected to quarantine on arrival in Australia due to the establishment of the Trans-Tasman travel bubble.
Holder has not been a regular face on the international T20 franchise circuit but shone for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League which ended last month, after being a late call up for the injured Australian Mitchell Marsh.
He snatched 14 wickets from seven matches with his deceptive fast-medium at an average of 16.64 and an economy rate of 8.32, and also played a couple of handy innings with the bat, to put Sunrisers in the semi-final against Delhi Capitals before they bowed out.
Holder has played only 17 Twenty20 Internationals for West Indies and was not considered for the recent three-match series against New Zealand because selectors wanted to preserve his focus for the Test series starting December 3 in Hamilton.
The second Test is carded for the historic Basin Reserve in Wellington eight days later.
CMC
