Exclusive: Narine to play for Cobras
The Cape Cobras have signed West Indian spinner Sunil Narine for the bulk of South Africa's domestic Twenty20 competition in 2014.
The Cape Cobras have signed West Indian spinner Sunil Narine for the bulk of South Africa's domestic Twenty20 competition in 2014.
Narine will join the Cape Town-based franchise after the Windies' tour of New Zealand, which will end in mid-January.
The Cobras will be without Narine for opening fixtures against the Titans, Lions and Warrriors.
The 25-year-old, however, is expected to debut against the Knights in Bloemfontein on 17 January or the Dolphins in Durban two days later.
He will be the first West Indian to play for the Western Province outfit since batsman Desmond Haynes in 1994 through 1997.
"After reviewing the fixtures and seeing who might be available during the specific period, we decided Sunil would be a good fit. He was the first choice we tried for," Cobras coach Paul Adams told <i>Cricket365</i>.
"We wanted his mystery, that X-factor. He is the best Twenty20 bowler in the world – and we are happy to have him join the Cobras. He can strike at pressure moments and keep the run-rate down."
Trinidad and Tobago recruit Narine is the joint leading wicket-taker in ongoing Champions League Twenty20 in India, having secured eight scalps in three matches, including an impressive haul of four for nine against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"Sunil will be with us for about five or six matches in the group stages, and hopefully in the semi-finals and final too. He will bring a good dynamic to the team, as one of the world's best Twenty20 cricketers," added Cobras CEO Andre Odendaal.
Narine, who has taken two dozen wickets in 18 T20Is at an average of 16.75 and economy rate of 5.94, is currently at the top of the International Cricket Council's rankings for Twenty20 bowlers, with almost 100 points more than second-placed Saeed Ajmal.
<b>Jonhenry Wilson</b><br><i>@JonhenryWilson</i>
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