Essex sign Tim Southee for 2011 Friends Life T20 tournament
The Essex County Cricket Club has signed up the Kiwi pacer, Tim Southee, as their overseas player for the 2011 Friends Life T20 competition.
The Essex coach, Mr. Paul Grayson, told the media about Tim Southee’s sign up. Paul expressed excitement over Southee’s inclusion into the Twenty20 squad of the county and hoped he will continue his form with the Essex Eagles.
"We are delighted to be able to add Tim to the squad, his experience will be great for the team; he has had an excellent 18 months with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 and so is going to be exciting to see him join up with the rest of the lads,” said
Grayson while talking to reporters on Friday.
The 22-year-old Northland fast bowler had been impressive in the recent ICC World Cup 2011. He picked up 18 wickets from 8 games at an average of 17.33 and an economy rate of 4.31.
Southee finished the tournament as the second highest wicket taker, just behind http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, both of whom have claimed 21 scalps to share the top spot.
The Kiwi pacer’s record in the shortest form of the cricket is quite impressive as well. He has claimed 22 wickets in 19 Twenty20 Internationals at an average of 25.90. His career-best figures in T20 are 5 for 33 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
The Essex coach said that the New Zealander would not only be an encouraging inclusion in their bowling arsenal but will also strengthen their batting down the order.
"He has shown on the biggest stage that he is great with the white ball, but is also able to give it a strike down the batting order,” Grayson said.
Southee will join his teammate, Scott Styris at Chelmsford and Grayson hopes both the compatriots will be valuable assets for the side.
Earlier there were rumours that Essex CCC may sign emerging http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hamid-Hassan-c1524, but the signing of Southee has brought an end to those.
As per county cricket rules, a club can sign up two Twenty20 overseas players and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Essex-c783 have now filled their two slots with two Kiwi imports.
Tags: