Another West Indies gun will feature in the Big Bash League this summer rather than the national team after replacing New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum at the Brisbane Heat.
Big-hitting batsman Lendl Simmons has been recruited by the Heat after McCullum withdrew from this season's BBL - the first of his three-year deal - due to international commitments.
Simmons was second-highest run-scorer in this year's Indian Premier League behind David Warner, helping the Mumbai Indians claim the IPL T20 title.
The nephew of Windies coach Phil Simmons will be available for all of Brisbane's BBL games this season.
Simmons will be another Windies gun to line up in the BBL along with the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle while the lowly-ranked tourists battle world No.2 Australia in a three-Test series starting on December 10.
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.
A member of the Windies' 2012 T20 World Cup winning side, Simmons is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League.
"Having coached against him in the IPL and played against him in the Caribbean Premier League, I know he is a match-winner," Heat coach Daniel Vettori said.
Even ex-Kiwi captain Vettori could not get former teammate McCullum over the line for the upcoming BBL season.
"In the end, his commitment to the Black Caps is the priority at this time and we accept that," Vettori said.
"The fans will naturally be disappointed, and we certainly acknowledge that feeling."
