BBL 2021-22: Sydney Sixers rope in Chris Jordan for injured Carlos Brathwaite

Defending Big Bash League champions Sydney Sixers won’t be having the services of West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite in the upcoming edition of the T20 tournament. The all-rounder has sustained a shoulder injury and has been ruled out of the tournament. Brathwaite has recently undergone a surgery due to which he won’t be able to make the cut for the championship.

The Sixers, in the meantime, have roped in veteran England fast bowler Chris Jordan as Brathwaite’s replacement. It will be Jordan’s fourth BBL club as he has already represented the Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers after making his debut in the 2016-17 edition.

Jordan was a crucial member of the Brits in the T20 World Cup 2021 and is currently plying his trade for the Northern Warriors in the T10 League in Abu Dhabi.

Michael Klinger, the Cricket NSW Head of Male Cricket, was delighted to have Jordan in the mix. He also lauded Jordan for being an effective death bowler and an efficient fielder.

Klinger disappointed after Carlos Brathwaite’s injury

“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 was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

“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,” Klinger added.

Brathwaite was a crucial member for the Sixers in the previous edition of the BBL. Although he didn’t perform to expectations with the bat in hand, he showed his class with his medium pace. The veteran picked up 16 wickets from as many games with an economy rate of 8.02. He was also the second-highest wicket-taker for his team after left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis.

The Sixers are set to start their 2021-22 BBL campaign on Sunday, December 5 against the Melbourne Stars at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.