LONDON, CMC – West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers will feature for Birmingham Bears in England’s T20 Blast, after signing with the West Midlands outfit for the last three games of the season.
The 28-year-old will be available for Friday’s contest against Worcestershire Rapids at New Road, and will also line-up in the reverse fixture a week later at Edgbaston, before capping off his campaign against Northants Steelbacks on July 18 also at home.
“I’m very excited by this opportunity to join up with the Bears and I hope that I can contribute with the bat and ball during these final three important games of the Blast,” said Mayers, an attacking left-hander who bowls sharp medium pace.
“I understand that the Bears have enjoyed a good association with West Indies cricketers and I’m very proud to join this list of players.
“Hopefully I can make some important contributions, which secure our path through to the knock-out stages.”
Mayers has already represented West Indies in all three formats but has become more of a fixture in the Test side, where he averages 47 from six Tests and has taken ten wickets.
He made a stunning entry to the longest format, striking a magnificent unbeaten 210 against Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chattogram last February, to earn West Indies a sensational final day victory.
Mayers also turns out for his native Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League, and is part of the squad for this year’s edition which gets underway in August in St Kitts and Nevis.
He joins a Bears side lying fifth in the North Group on 11 points from as many matches, and director of cricket Paul Farbrace believes the player’s qualities can benefit the team’s push for a place in the next round.
“Kyle played superbly in last year’s CPL, which helped him to break into the Windies ranks across all formats,” said Farbrace.
“Being able to add Kyle, as a hard-hitting batsman and skilful seam bowler, to our squad as we bid for a quarter final place is a great boost.
“We also recognise how motivated Kyle is by this opportunity to feature in another leading T20 tournament with an ICC T20 World Cup just around the corner.”
At Bears, Mayers joins fellow Barbados and West Indies all-rounder, Carlos Brathaite, along with 17-year-old Barbadian all-rounder Jacob Bethell.
Brathwaite, a former West Indies T20 captain, is the leading wicket-taker for Bears with 18 wickets from nine matches.