Jordan signs up for Strikers BBL stint

Chris Jordan, the Sussex and England allrounder, has signed to play in the Big Bash League with Adelaide Strikers. Jordan comes in as an overseas replacement, covering the expected absence of his England team-mate Adil Rashid.

The 2016-17 BBL starts on December 20 and runs until the end of January. Rashid is currently with England's Test squad in India - the final match of the five-Test series is scheduled to finish on December 20 - and is also likely to be part of the limited-overs party when they return to India next month.

Jordan has also been a regular selection for England in white-ball cricket over the last few years, although he was left out of the squad that played three ODIs in Bangladesh in October. He was a member of the side that reached the World T20 final earlier this year and was subsequently signed by IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Jason Gillespie, the Strikers coach, knows Jordan from his time in England in charge of Yorkshire. "Chris is an allrounder who has represented England with distinction and we are delighted to have secured his services," Gillespie said.

"He bowls very good pace, is renowned for taking early wickets and he is also known for his death bowling - and he's also one of the best fielders in the world. He's a quality cricketer who has all three strings to his bow, and we're extremely excited to be welcoming here to the Adelaide Strikers."

Rashid's unavailability would be a blow to the Strikers, after he finished the 2015-16 season as the competition's second-leading wicket-taker, helping Adelaide into the semi-finals in Gillespie's first season in charge.