“With both bat and ball he’s a very skilled T20 cricketer”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

The Sydney Thunder have brought in West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite after it was confirmed that his compatriot Andre Russell would miss the rest of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Russell had to be taken off on a Medicab after injuring his hamstring during the Thunder’s nail-biting last-ball win over the Melbourne Stars on Wednesday and is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks.

Furthermore, the 29-year-old had been playing with a knee injury throughout the tournament.

“Andre has been playing with long standing tendinitis of the right knee, that flared up in the opening rounds for the BBL,” Thunder physiotherapist Murray Ryan said. “This was investigated via MRI following the Perth Scorchers game and several interventions implemented to assist his symptoms and allow him to continue playing.

“Unfortunately Andre’s playing fitness has been compounded further by an injury to his left hamstring – the extent of this injury to be confirmed further via scans in Sydney tomorrow, however initial signs suggest a minimum 4-6 week recovery.”

Brathwaite’s stock rose significantly after he clubbed four consecutive sixes in the last over of the World Twenty20 final against England to lead the West Indies to victory.

Thunder coach Paddy Upton was delighted to have secured the services of the 28-year-old and is confident he will have a major impact in the competition.

“Carlos is dedicated to learning and advancing his game,” Upton said. “With both bat and ball he’s a very skilled T20 cricketer.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with him for a season in the IPL and he really is the highest quality individual. He’s a top quality cricketer and person, which ticks the two big boxes when it comes to Thunder recruiting players.”