West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy joins Nottinghamshire CCC for T20 Blast matches

West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy is set to join Nottinghamshire for a month at the height of the 2015 season.

The 31-year-old will represent Notts Outlaws in four NatWest T20 Blast matches between Friday 31 May and Friday 12 June, and his return can be negotiated should the side reach the competition’s quarter-finals and finals day.

Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell has celebrated Sammy’s ability, and insists he’s the perfect player to fit into the side at a time where players may be away from Trent Bridge on international duty.

“We’ve got to look at the summer in terms of where and when we might lose players to international cricket,” he said.

“There’s a period in June where we could lose James Taylor and Alex Hales to international cricket and therefore we need to strengthen up the team at that time.

“It’s a gap between the IPL and the Caribbean Premier League where Darren was available and keen to play.

“He’s an explosive twenty20 player, with a reputation around the world for being a good player and a good bloke. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the team and hope he can help us achieve a good season in the NatWest T20 Blast.”

A talented all-rounder, Sammy has amassed 3,487 runs in Twenty20 cricket, as well as taking 156 wickets in the shortest form of the game. Currently with the West Indies at the ICC Cricket World Cup, Sammy is expected to slot into the Outlaws’ batting lineup and bolster their chances of qualification to the tournament’s knockout stages.

“He’ll fit into the middle order, and other players may have to change their roles when he arrives,” he said.

“With doubts over Michael Lumb’s fitness at that time, and then the possibility of losing Taylor and Hales, we’re light on batting, and we want to give ourselves the best chance of competing in that tournament and Darren seemed to be a good fit for us.”

Sammy, who spent a period of time with Alex Hales with the Hobart Hurricanes this winter, is relishing the opportunity to represent the Outlaws this summer, and treating Trent Bridge as his home ground for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to coming to England and experiencing T20 cricket with Nottinghamshire,” he said.

“The Outlaws have a reputation for playing exciting cricket and have some hugely talented players.

“Trent Bridge is an excellent venue known worldwide, with great crowds, and I can’t wait to get started.”

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