Allrounder Dan Christian will return home for this season’s BBL after signing for defending champions the Sydney Sixers in what could mark the beginning of the final phase of his T20 career on Australian soil.
For Christian, 37, who was born in Sydney, the Sixers will be his fourth BBL club after spells with the Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes and most recently the Melbourne Renegades where he helped them to their thrilling title victory in the 2018-19 season.
The move back to Sydney will allow Christian to link up with long-time friend and the current Sixers captain Moises Henriques.
“You don’t always get your fairy tales in sport but having played this T20 format for a long time this sounded like a good opportunity to bookend my career at home,” Christian said. “Although I am not saying this will definitely be my last contract, the chance to come back and play at the SCG with guys like Moises and under [head coach] Greg Shipperd was too good to miss.
“Moises and I first played some colts cricket together and then went on to play together for NSW, Australia and Bangalore in the IPL. We’ve known each other for a really long time and are great mates. We have played a lot of cricket together and against each other and played a lot of golf together. We still try to whenever we are in the same city.”
Christian’s arrival will add to the Sixers’ depth particularly in their middle-order batting options and death bowling.
“I haven’t talked to Shippy and Moises too much about a role yet but having watched the Sixers a lot over the last few years and understanding their strengths, I hope I can bowl a few overs when needed and strengthen that finishing role with the bat to help close those last five or six overs out,” he said.
“Once you get to my age it just happens being in that mentoring role, being approached about how you think in certain situations, how you plan for certain scenarios. I enjoy that and if that opportunity happens I’m more than willing to contribute what I can in that area.”
Shipperd added: “[Dan’s] one of the most sought after T20 players globally and will bring a wealth of experience and all-round skills to our group.
“Our goal is to keep improving and we think bringing his aggression and knowledge will be great for the balance of the team. Dan also adds to our leadership strengths and I’m confident he will bring forward some enlightening thoughts on the game.”
Current Sixers squad Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Dan Christian, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Stephen O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk