Dan’s the man for Notts’ T20 ambitions

Christian fills the void left by Darren Sammy who has departed for the Caribbean Premier League following a four-game stint with the Outlaws, and Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell believes the 32-year-old to be an ideal replacement.

“I keep saying that, particularly with international call-ups and injuries around, we need to be as strong as we can be,” he said.

“So with an overseas vacancy available to us following Darren’s departure to the CPL, and knowing of Dan’s availability as we have for some time, it was an easy decision to bring him in.

“He’s someone that tends to score his runs quickly and he also provides a very good option with the ball, which you need plenty of in T20 cricket.”

Christian, who has 34 caps in white ball cricket for Australia, has amassed 146 career Twenty20 appearances including stints in the Indian Premier League with Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

He averages 20.11 with the bat, at a strike-rate of 128.53 that includes a century and two fifties - and 27.72 with the ball at an economy rate of 8.16 runs-per-over.

On English shores, he was a Friends Life T20 winner with Hampshire in 2010 and appeared in the NatWest T20 Blast for Middlesex in 2014, scoring 129 off 57 balls against Kent.

“Dan is a very aggressive and entertaining batsman to add to our line-up and also one that has lots of know-how in how to read the game and pace an innings,” added Newell.

“He also has lots of experience, particularly in Twenty20, and I know he’s very keen to pass that onto our young players which is important.

“Darren Sammy certainly did that and I’m sure Dan Christian will do likewise.”

Christian, who is joined in the Notts dressing room by fellow Australian Ben Hilfenhaus, revealed that he had no hesitation in making the decision to sign for Notts.

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining Nottinghamshire and I hope I can help the boys and contribute across the board in their remaining matches of the NatWest T20 campaign.

“Notts are a great county and I am honoured to be joining them. When Mick got in touch to see if I was keen, I didn’t think twice and I jumped at the opportunity to come over.”