Former Thunder player crosses Sydney to link-up with Sixers as a replacement international signing
Sixers beat rivals to secure Vince
The Sydney Sixers have landed England international James Vince for the remainder of the KFC BBL season to replace countryman Joe Denly.
Vince played last season with the Sydney Thunder, and was on the Hobart Hurricanes radar for this summer, but has signed with the Sixers and will link up with the team in Perth ahead of Sunday's clash with the Scorchers at Optus Stadium.
Denly is among a host of England internationals leaving the Big Bash to join their national squad for the looming tour of the Caribbean with the Thunder bidding farewell to Jos Buttler and Joe Root ahead of the three-Test series starting on January 24 in Barbados.
The Thunder have signed England fast bowler Chris Jordan and Kiwi big-hitter Anton Devcich as replacements for their star England duo.
Vince, who was part of England's Ashes squad that lost 4-0 last summer before he linked up with the Thunder, had been playing with the Auckland Aces in New Zealand.
Hobart Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith recently confirmed Englishman James Vince had been discussed as a potential signing after the club lost Tymal Mills to injury before the season opener.
"(Vince) is one player we're looking at. We've got a good relationship with the Auckland Aces so he's one name we've discussed, but he's one of half a dozen," Griffith told cricket.com.au last week.
The 27-year-old played three matches for the Thunder last season, scoring 75 runs at 25 with a strike rate of 125. In BBL|06 he hit 74 runs in three games – 44 of which came in his debut game – at an average of 22.46, striking at 154.16.
This season, Denly had hit 137 runs in seven matches at 22.83 with a strike rate of 103, while five overs of spin had netted 1-69 at 8.62.
"I'm extremely excited about joining up with the Sixers. The Big Bash is a fantastic competition to be a part of," Vince said in a statement.
"The guys are playing some great cricket at the minute and are in a strong position heading into the second half of the tournament.
"Hopefully I can hit the ground running and make some good contributions that will help us go all the way this year. Sydney is a fantastic place and the SCG is an incredible ground, I can't wait to get started."
The Sixers currently sit third on the BBL|08 ladder, with four wins from their seven games, and following the clash with last-placed Perth will enjoy a run of five consecutive home matches from next Wednesday when they host the Renegades.