Explosive Surrey batsman Jason Roy has signed for Big Bash League side Sydney Thunder as a replacement for fellow England player Eoin Morgan.
With the newly-appointed England one-day international skipper set to link up with the national side ahead of the Tri-Series against India and Australia in the new year, Roy has been drafted in to play three matches.
The 24-year-old displayed his qualities in the sprint format last summer, topping the NatWest T20 Blast run-charts with 677 including nine fifties in 15 innings, form which led to a first England cap.
Roy’s Thunder debut is likely to come against Hobart Hurricanes, who have fellow England internationals Alex Hales and Tim Bresnan in their ranks, on January 9.
He will also be available for the game versus Adelaide Strikers three days later and will come up against Surrey team-mate Kevin Pietersen’s Melbourne Stars on January 17.
“The Big Bash is a huge competition for an overseas player to be involved in,” Roy, set to link up with England Lions for the limited-overs leg of their tour of South Africa following his spell with the Thunder, told Surrey’s official website.
And @ThunderBBL fans...here is the sort of batting @JasonRoy20 will bring to #BBL04..enjoy http://t.co/0KKeT6qukA
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) December 28, 2014
“I’m looking forward to getting over there and playing in front of the big crowds with an amazing squad.
“Hopefully I can get my name out there and show people what I’m about and help win some games for the Thunder.”
Roy joins a Thunder squad that already boasts the likes of former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis and ex-Australia batsman Mike Hussey.
“Growing up in South Africa, I watched Jacques Kallis play a lot,” said Roy.
“To be able to play alongside him is going to be an amazing experience and I’m looking forward to picking his brain along the way.”
Thunder general manager Nick Cummins added: “We are delighted to have Jason join the Thunder as Eoin’s replacement.
“Jason is one of the most exciting young T20 batsmen in the world and he’ll add some significant firepower to our batting line-up.”
Excited to have signed for the @ThunderBBL . Great squad and great comp to be involved with #ThunderNation
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) December 28, 2014