Gloucestershire sign Christian for T20

Gloucestershire have finally landed their man for the Friends Life t20 by signing Australian allrounder Daniel Christian.

John Bracewell, Gloucestershire director of cricket, had expressed his frustration at not being able to seal a deal for an overseas player. He is targeting a place at finals day and it was essential that any signing would be available for the whole T20 competition.

Christian, 29, will hope to help them to a first semi-final since 2007. He has played a handful of internationals, 17 ODIs and 11 T20Is for Australia, and has a good record in domestic T20 with almost 1,300 runs at a strike rate of 131.57 and a bowling average of 25.43.

Christian is well-known to new Gloucestershire captain Michael Klinger, who also plays for South Australia. But it was with Brisbane Heat that Christian won the Big Bash League in January. He also won the Friends Life t20 with Hampshire in 2010 and was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore for this season's IPL.

"I couldn't be more pleased about signing Dan," Bracewell said. "He is a power-hitter and a vicious competitor, as is the nature of the new breed of top T20 players, who want to win every ball. Dan will bat in our top four and can bowl in the middle of an innings and at the death. He is a hugely exciting recruit."

"I am excited to be joining Gloucestershire," Christian said. "Having played in 2010 for Hampshire, I have already had a taste of county cricket and I am really looking forward to playing in England again.

"I have two months in India for the IPL prior to joining the club which will be great preparation ahead of the English T20. I look forward to joining John Bracewell, Michael Klinger and the rest of the boys in June and pulling on a Gloucestershire shirt for the first time."