TWENTY20 World Cup winner and explosive all-rounder Carlos Braithwaite admits he is counting down the days before he can light up Edgbaston Stadium in the colours of Birmingham Bears – after committing himself to the club’s 2021 Vitality Blast campaign.
The 32-year-old, best known for his exploits with the West Indies, currently represents Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League and will make his return to England having previously appeared in the Vitality Blast three years ago with Kent.
Having had a well-travelled career to date which has seen the Barbadian turn out for a number of clubs across four continents, Braithwaite feels the chance to play in front of a famously-vociferous crowd in Birmingham will be an unforgettable experience.
“It’s very exciting to join the Bears and to make Edgbaston my home this summer,” he said.
“I’ve heard a lot about the atmosphere and the big T20 crowds that come to Edgbaston to watch the Bears – I can’t wait to get started this summer in the Blast.
“I know that the team went very close to reaching the quarter finals last year, but we’ve got a lot of young talent in this squad and I’m hoping that we can push on further this year, getting to Finals Day at our home ground would be fantastic.”
For Director of Cricket at the Bears, Paul Farbrace, the addition of the influential Braithwaite could make the winning difference in this summer’s T20 competition.
“He’s a game changer who adds vital firepower to our middle order, but his variation with the ball gives us another strong seam bowling option,” he added.
“I was part of the England coaching team in 2016 when Carlos’ four successive sixes changed the ICC T20 World Cup final, so I’m well aware of his capabilities.
“I’m just glad that we’ll have the benefits of his qualities now that he’s signed for the Bears.”
Tickets are set to go on general sale for the 2021 Vitality Blast on Monday, March 1, but are currently available with priority access to members on the Bears newsletter mailing list for the penultimate fixture of the campaign against Worcestershire Rapids on July 16 – with prices at £12 for adults and free for under-16s.
