Daniel Christian has hit the headlines in Australia’s Big Bash © Getty Images
Dan Christian, the hard-hitting Australia batsman whose exploits have been a talking point of the Big Bash, has agreed terms to play for Nottinghamshire again in this summer’s NatWest T20 Blast.
Christian featured in the final seven T20 matches of the 2015 before helping the Outlaws reach the semi-finals of the 50-over Royal London Cup, where they lost to Surrey by four runs in a thrilling run-chase.
His seam bowling claimed 13 wickets across the two competitions, including a five-wicket haul to help secure victory over the Birmingham Bears at Welbeck.
“He got better and better over the course of his time with us last season which made him a player we were very keen to bring back,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.
“We’ll use him in a different role in Twenty20 cricket, higher up the order where he can make more of a batting impact.”
Christian’s impressive form has since continued back home in Australia. He helped Victoria to the Elimination Final of the 50-over Matador Cup with 60 not out against Western Australia and 38 not out off 14 balls against Tasmania and then, having joined the Hobart Hurricanes for the Big Bash, he hit the headlines by striking a 117-metre six over the roof of the Gabba, en route to 56 not out off 24 balls against his former franchise, Brisbane Heat.
“He is performing really well in the Big Bash and I’m sure other clubs showed some interest,” said Newell, “but he enjoyed his time here and that’s the kind of relationship we want to build with our overseas players.”
Christian’s contribution extended to captaining Nottinghamshire’s second XI in between his weekly stints in the T20 Blast, an experience that Newell is keen for him to repeat.
“Twenty20 overseas can be a bit of a lonely lifestyle because you are only required once a week,” added Newell. “But he wanted to play in the second team games in-between to keep ticking over, something I’m sure he’ll do again.
“It was great that he wanted to play, he captained the second team on some occasions and great that the other players could have that quality around them.”
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo