Two-time defending BBL champions Sydney Sixers have pulled off a coup signing England quick Chris Jordan as an international replacement for Carlos Brathwaite after the West Indian was ruled out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury.
Brathwaite has undergone surgery and is unavailable for the entire BBL. Jordan has been signed at short notice to bolster Sixers' squad alongside fellow England internationals James Vince and Tom Curran.
Jordan has previously played for three different BBL clubs in three different seasons, starting at Adelaide Strikers in 2016-17 before a short stint with Sydney Thunder in 2018-19. He played almost a full season with Perth Scorchers in 2019-20 before having to leave the tournament late due to international duty.
Jordan comes off a T20 World Cup where he was arguably England's best seamer claiming six wickets at an economy rate of 6.84. Cricket NSW Head of Male Cricket Michael Klinger, who oversees Sixers' list management, said Jordan was a valuable addition.
"It's disappointing for Carlos and the group that he has succumbed to injury but Chris is a world-class T20 cricketer and will provide the Sixers with fantastic versatility and high-quality skills in all three aspects of the game," Klinger said.
"His death bowling and changeups, as well as being one of the world's best fielders, will be a huge asset for the Sixers early in the BBL.
"He is experienced in playing in the BBL and has been previously successful in this tournament.
"I know Greg Shipperd (Sixers coach) and the rest of the coaching staff are very excited to have Chris on board."
Sixers will open their new campaign on Sunday, December 5 against Melbourne Stars at the SCG.
Sydney Sixers squad: Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Daniel Christian, Tom Curran (Eng), Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Chris Jordan (Eng), Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Stephen O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince (Eng)