Sydney Thunder locks in Joe Root, Jos Buttler replacements

WHEN England superstars Joe Root and Jos Buttler depart halfway through the Big Bash season, Sydney Thunder will call on two guns for hire who have honed their T20 skills around the globe.

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EVERY dog has their day in the Big Bash League, even when you’re replacing Joe Root and Jos Buttler.

Because when the two England superstars leave Australia’s shores in January Chris Jordan and Anton Devcich will slot into Sydney Thunder’s side.

The England paceman and New Zealand batsman are no slouches themselves.

Jordan has 40 wickets in 35 T20 matches including 2/29 in Colombo last month to help England to a 30-run T20 over Sri Lanka.

The 30-year-old has also caused Australia torment, returning 3/42 in June’s Buttler-led England T20 win at Edgbaston, and is vying to get back into Test and one-day international contention.

Joe Root (L) and Jos Buttler celebrate beating the Kiwis at the World T20. Picture: AFP

“The prospect of working with Shane Bond is very exciting,” Jordan said.

“The Big Bash is a real spectacle, it’s run really well.”

Devcich has spent the past year playing in the Pakistan Super League, Global T20 Canada, the Caribbean Premier League and recently finished as leading run-scorer for the Nangarhar Leopards in the UAE-based Afghanistan Premier League.

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The 33-year old was also named player of the match in the Elimination Final of the Caribbean Premier League when he made a half century from 23-balls.

“With Jos and Jo, Thunder have two quality players and they will be a hard act to follow,” Devcich said.

“The good thing is that every dog has their day in this format. I’d like to think I will slot in to the group easily.

“The Big Bash is one of those competitions you want to test yourself in. It’s very competitive and different to the Asian tournaments on the circuit.”

Chris Jordan will join the Thunder after the departures of England teammates Joe Root and Jos Buttler. Picture: AFP

The pair will arrive in time for the Thunder’s clash with Adelaide Strikers at Spotless Stadium on January 13, and coach Shane Bond saw them as ideal additions for the finals push.

“CJ is not just a great bowler but a great bloke as well, he’s someone I’ve been keen to sign for some time,” Bond said.

“He is someone always spoken of highly wherever you go in the world. He’s also a top fielder who can give it a whack at the end of the innings. I’m really excited to see what he can do.

“Anton has been one of the top batsmen in New Zealand for a number of years and he’s had really good year playing T20 cricket all over the world. He can bat anywhere in the top five and can bowl some left arm spin as well.”

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