BBL 2017/18: Sydney Sixers Awaits Carlos Brathwaite's Arrival
Published - 06 Jan 2018, 12:52 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:47 PM
The Sydney Sixers have turned their fate to Windies T20 sensation Carlos Brathwaite as their lifeline in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).
However, their bid to rope in the big Caribbean had received a significant blow.
The struggling Sixers are awaiting Brathwaite’s visa to get completed before unveiling him as a star recruit, but the deal is expected to take some time. Brathwaite is currently in New Zealand after the culmination of the T20 series against the Kiwis.
The signature of the big West Indian would provide the SCG-based franchise with a much-needed morale boost after a terrible start to this year’s campaign. Sixers’ chances of making it to the finals are gone having lost all their opening five games.
However, they need to win all the matches to make it to the top four.
Champions from the first season had received a major blow when their skipper Moises Henriques opted out of this year’s BBL citing personal reasons. Sixers also missed the services of Stephen O’Keefe, who has been ruled out with an injury.
Sixers have struggled with their overseas signing, as England internationals Sam Billings and Jason Roy could not live up to the expectations. However, the return of Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird can provide a major boost to a somewhat inexperienced bowling attack. Lyon and Bird have not drafted in Australia’s ODI squad against England.
Brathwaite burst onto the international scene with his last over heroics in ICC T20 World Cup Final. With his team needing 19 runs for victory, Brathwaite hammered Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes to win the match with two balls to spare.
Brathwaite made his BBL debut last summer when he signed with Sydney Thunder, as their replacement for an injured Andre Russell. His arrival, however, was unable to help the Western Sydney team defend their title.
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