The Sydney Sixers have signed New Zealand international Colin Munro as the replacement player for Sam Billings, called up for England's ODI and T20 tour of India.
Munro, set to join the team next week, top-scored for the Black Caps in their 47-run T20 win on Friday over Bangladesh with 101 off 54 balls.
The left-handed allrounder will prove a handy middle-order replacement for Billings for the Sixers and is coming into the squad with plenty of cricket under his belt.
He will arrive just in time for next week's almost sold-out match against cross-town rivals the Sydney Thunder.
Although Munro has played for the Black Caps in all three formats, he is seen as somewhat of a T20 specialist and is contracted in T20 leagues around the world including the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Colin is a fantastic short-form batter and the ideal replacement for Sam Billings," Sixers General Manager Dominic Remond said.
"Colin will be a valuable asset to help us secure a finals spot - he'll be Sydney's favourite Kiwi."
Sixers coach Greg Shipperd was happy to have settled on Billings' replacement.
"Colin is crafting an impressive career particularly as a dashing batsman in short-form cricket. We welcome another player who takes the game on and his recent international form will hold him in good stead to assist our drive toward the finals."
The Sydney Sixers have two double-header home games over the next fortnight with the WBBL squad taking on the Perth Scorchers on Monday January 9 ahead of the BBL squad taking on the Renegades, while both the WBBL and BBL teams will take on the Thunder on Saturday January 14 in the Sydney Smash.
