The Midlands county have secured the services of superstars Andre Russell and Imran Tahir, for their T20 Blast campaign. The pair, who were part of the recent IPL, will play in a Notts team already featuring the likes of Stuart Broad and Alex Hales.
Russell, known as ‘superman’, played a key role in helping the West Indies win their second T20 World Cup title in April. The 28-year old has been the most prolific all-rounder in the shortest format of the game, and English fans will have the opportunity to watch him in the flesh for four matches in June.
Tahir, will act as his replacement and will feature in their last 6 Blast games as well as 7 county matches. The 37-year old played 3 matches for Nottinghamshire at the end of last season.
“Andre is one of the leading T20 players in the world right now,” said director of cricket Mick Newell.
Newell added: “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.”
Russell’s statistics in this form of the game are highly impressive. He has taken 180 wickets in T20 cricket, at a rate of 26.13. While with the bat, he has scored 12 half-centuries, with a strike rate of more than 160 runs per 100 balls.
Tahir meanwhile, has taken 150 wickets in T20 cricket, at a rate of 20.82 and an economy rate below 7. However, perhaps his celebration in which he runs off around the pitch in what looks like a lap of honour, is the most famous aspect of his game!
“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.”