Nottinghamshire Outlaws add Andre Russell and Imran Tahir to T20 Blast squad
Saturday 4 June 2016 13:52, UK
Nottinghamshire have signed West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell and South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir to boost their T20 Blast options.
Russell, who was part of the West Indies side that won the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in India, will play in four matches before heading off to the Caribbean Premier League, and Tahir will then replace him.
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The 28-year-old Russell has scored 2,948 runs and taken 182 wickets in more than 200 worldwide Twenty20 matches, winning titles in the Bangladesh Premier League, Australia's Big Bash League and the Pakistan Super League.
Director of cricket Mick Newell said: "Wayne Noon worked with him during the Big Bash League where the two of them struck up a good relationship, so we know he'll fit well into our dressing room.
"Looking at our line-up, there was certainly scope to add a hitter into the middle-order, as we did in 2015 with Darren Sammy. In Andre's case, it's an added bonus that he's a very effective fast bowler as well.
"He'll hopefully help us put some important wins on the board in the competition before jetting off to the Caribbean Premier League, which is very much the way of it for the global stars these days."
Russell will team up with hard-hitting Australia all-rounder Dan Christian before giving over to Tahir, who will join for the final seven games and could also be available for six matches in the Specsavers County Championship.
Newell added: "Tahir played three games for the Outlaws last season and took 10 wickets, and he was impressive for South Africa at the World Twenty20. We've seen many times how valuable a world class leg-spinner can be, in all formats of the game.
"Imran enjoyed his time here last year, he wanted to come back, and we're only too happy for him to do so. Having him available will also allow us to make the most of some of the drier pitches in four day cricket at the back end of the summer."
