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Big Bash League strugglers Sydney Sixers have replaced outgoing opener Jason Roy with another Englishman for their final four matches of the T20 tournament.
Kent’s Joe Denly has completed a move to the New South Wales franchise as Roy will soon be leaving to join up with England’s ODI squad ahead a five-match series which begins a week on Sunday.
Denly is a welcome addition to a winless Sixers side, who have lost five from five, after he finished the 2017 NatWest T20 Blast as the highest runscorer with 567 runs.
The Sixers have celebrated just one half-century during the tournament and have scored less than 120 on two occasions.
A statement released by the Sixers announced: “The Sydney Sixers have signed Joe Denly as the replacement for Jason Roy, who will depart the Sixers after the match in Hobart on Monday for England ODI commitments.
“He will join the Sixers next week ahead of the Sydney Smash against the Sydney Thunder at the SCG and will aim to bring some fire power to the top order.”
Denly, 31, already holds past experience of playing on Australian wickets having spent four winters with Sydney Cricket Club.