Sixers snare big-hitting Black Cap Seifert to bolster batting

Sydney Sixers have bolstered their batting stocks with the signing of prolific T20 opener Tim Seifert for KFC BBL|16.

The New Zealand international, who has played all of his Big Bash cricket at the Melbourne Renegades since making his debut in BBL|14, has signed a one-year deal with the Sixers.

Seifert joins the three-time BBL champions after a remarkable campaign in the ECB's Hundred franchise competition, where the 31-year-old was named as the player of the tournament.

The dynamic power-hitter guided Manchester Super Giants to a maiden title with a match-winning 72 off 38 balls against Trent Rockets in the final at Lord's.

With extensive experience across the global T20 circuit, Seifert said the chance to call the SCG home is a fresh opportunity that could lead to more silverware this summer.

"The Sixers are one of the most respected and successful clubs in the competition, so it's a privilege to be joining the group," Seifert said. 

"I've always loved playing cricket in Australia and the Big Bash is a tournament I genuinely enjoy being part of. To now have the opportunity to wear the magenta and help contribute to the club's success is something I'm really excited about."

The 31-year-old is set to fill a void at the top of the order left by the likely absence of Australian international Steve Smith, who is expected to miss the entirety of BBL|16 through national commitments.

Seifert's signature could also signal the club's intentions to move on from Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who the Sixers recruited as an opening batter last season.

With Josh Philippe also a key cog in the Sixers line-up, it remains to be seen which of the duo will take the gloves in Big Bash matches. While both players have spent the majority of their matches with the gloves on, both also have experience of being deployed as regular fielders. Philippe has a catch per centage of 94.9 as wicketkeeper for the Sixers, per CricViz.

Sixers GM Rachael Haynes said the addition of Seifert to the club's men's squad is a necessary signing to boost their batting firepower.

"Tim (Seifert) is one of the premier T20 batters in world cricket, and his recent player of the tournament performance in The Hundred is another example of the quality he brings," Haynes said. 

"We've admired him for a long time, and his experience, attacking intent and match winning ability makes him a fantastic fit for the Sixers. We're thrilled to welcome him to the club."

Hailing from Whanganui on New Zealand's North Island, Seifert made his international debut in 2018 and has represented the Black Caps in 90 T20 internationals.

He sits fourth on the country's all-time leading T20I run-scorers list with 2,279 runs, only behind Glenn Phillips (2,286), Kane Williamson (2,575) and Martin Guptill (3,531).

The keeper-batter was also the second highest run-scorer at this year's men's T20 World Cup, scoring 326 runs including four fifties to help the Kiwis reach the final.

Outside of international cricket, Seifert has played 343 T20 fixtures in overseas competition's such as the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, The Hundred and America's Major League Cricket.

The big-hitting New Zealander made 485 runs across his two BBL seasons at the Renegades, with his best performance coming in the club's opening game of BBL|15 where he made 102 off 56 balls against Brisbane Heat in Geelong.

The Renegades had previously lost Victorian paceman Fergus O'Neill to the Sixers, after he signed with the Sydney club during the BBL player movement window in February.

The club will also be without Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who is set to play with a fifth Big Bash team after signing with the Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday.

Seifert is the fourth overseas player to commit to BBL|16 following the prized signing of Ben Stokes to the Strikers, Tom Curran to the Stars and Calvin Harrison to the Perth Scorchers.

Sydney Sixers BBL|16 squad (so far)

Contracted for BBL|16: Sean Abbott (contracted until BBL|16), Joel Davies (BBL|16), Ollie Davies (BBL|18), Ben Dwarshuis (BBL|17), Jack Edwards (BBL|16), Hayden Kerr (BBL|16), Fergus O'Neill (BBL|17), Josh Philippe (BBL|16), Tim Seifert (BBL|16), Lachlan Shaw (BBL|16), Jordan Silk (BBL|17), Steve Smith (BBL|16)

 

Uncontracted: Babar Azam (Pakistan), Jafer Chohan (England), Sam Curran (England), Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Riley Kingsell, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry, Jake Scott, Harjas Singh, Mitchell Starc, Charlie Stobo

 

Head coach: Matthew Mott