Notts Outlaws have completed the signings of Andre Russell and Imran Tahir, completing their overseas quota in all competitions for 2016.

Russell, recently a winner of the ICC World T20 with the West Indies, will be first to arrive at Trent Bridge and will feature in four matches; the home fixture against Derbyshire and subsequent trips to Headingley, Worcester and Derby.

The 28-year-old has played T20 cricket across the globe, taking 180 wickets at an average of 26.13 and performing for the winning side in four recent competitions, in Bangladesh, Australia, the UAE and the World T20.

He is also closing in on 3,000 runs in the format having scored 12 half-centuries, averaging 23.65 and establishing a lofty strike-rate of in excess of 165 runs per 100 balls.

“With his batting, bowling and fielding taken into consideration, Andre is one of the leading T20 players in the world right now, and he keeps proving it at big tournaments,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

“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.”

Tahir, the South African international leg-spinner with 1,143 all format career wickets to his name, will join for the final seven matches of the tournament and is also expected to be available for six games in the Specsavers County Championship.

His short spell at Trent Bridge last season yielded ten wickets in three matches, after which he averaged 13.83 with the ball and maintained a remarkable economy rate of 5.18 runs-per-over at the ICC World T20.

His overall T20 record having played domestically in the Indian, South African, Pakistani and English competitions, as well as the international arena, is 150 wickets at 20.82 and an economy rate below seven.

 “We’ve seen many times how valuable a world class leg-spinner can be, in all formats of the game,” said Newell.

“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.

“He can be a threat on any surface, but throw him the ball on something that’s offering turn & bounce and he could be a real match winner for us at a pivotal point of the season.

“He can also be a really positive mentor to the spinners we already have at the Club; players like Samit Patel, Matthew Carter, Sam Wood and Connor Marshall can all learn a lot from Imran.”

Australian international Dan Christian is already in place for the whole NatWest T20 Blast tournament.

 

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information

Vs. Lancashire Lightning – Saturday 4 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 10 June 7.15pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Durham Jets – Friday 1 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Worcestershire Rapids – Saturday 9 July 2.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Yorkshire Vikings – Friday 15 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 29 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Season tickets include best value access to the remaining six group stage home fixtures and a rain guarantee.

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