Englishman gives Sixers a boost

The Sydney Sixers have boosted their batting stocks for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League season, signing English powerhouse Jason Roy for the first half of the competition.

The England ODI and T20 opener will join the Sixers for the first five matches of the season before he heads to India to link with England's limited overs squad.

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Roy, who played for cross-town rivals the Thunder in BBL|04, will add more firepower to a top order that will be led by the likes of Nic Maddinson and former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin.

Coach Greg Shipperd said the signing of Roy would be followed by another big announcement in the coming weeks.

"Jason is known as an explosive weapon at the top of the order and we look forward to his contribution bringing also his English experiences from which we can share," Shipperd said.

"Having canvassed the group around this signing there exists a very positive vibe about having Jason in our ranks.

"We will soon be putting the finishing touches on our last signing which we anticipate will generate immense interest and support from our members."

Roy has been a regular part of England's white-ball sides for the past two years and has quickly established an imposing opening partnership with former Renegades, Strikers and Hurricanes batsman Alex Hales.

A powerful right-hander, Roy averages more than 38 in ODI cricket at a strike rate of 103, including three centuries, while his career strike rate in T20 internationals sits at just under 130.

He shared a memorable stand of 256 with Hales in a one-day match against Sri Lanka earlier this year, the pair remaining unbeaten as they chased down a victory target of 255 in just 34.1 overs.

Having scored 112no on that occasion, Roy blazed a superb 162 from just 118 balls just five days later to help England chase down a target of 308.

Squad: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Doug Bollinger, Johan Botha (OS), Ryan Carters, Ben Dwarshuis, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Joe Mennie, Stephen O'Keefe, Jason Roy (OS), Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc