Glamorgan have confirmed the signing of Australian batsman Joe Burns for the rest of their Vitality T20 Blast campaign as a replacement for the injured Shaun Marsh.
Burns will join his new teammates this week and subject to ECB registration will be available for Glamorgan’s remaining 11 T20 fixtures, starting with their contest against Somerset on Friday night at Sophia Gardens.
The 28-year-old has played 14 Test matches for Australia, the last of which was in March during Australia’s tour of South Africa, where he top scored in the second innings with 42. Overall, he has hit three Test centuries with a best of 170 against New Zealand.
He has also played six ODIs for Australia and has T20 experience in the Big Bash playing for Brisbane Heat and in the Vitality Blast having previously played for both Leicestershire Foxes and Middlesex.
Through his career, Burns has played 55 T20 matches, scoring 1,199 runs at an average just under 30 and a strike rate of 125.
Glamorgan chief executive, Hugh Morris, said: “Shaun going home was a big loss but we’ve acted very quickly to get a replacement in and have been fortunate to bring in someone of the calibre of Joe Burns.
“He is a proven international cricketer who has excelled in both white and red-ball cricket and I’m sure he will use his previous experience of playing in the county game to hit the ground running during our Vitality Blast campaign.”
Glamorgan have 11 group games remaining as they bid for their second successive Finals Day, which is being held on 15 September at Edgbaston. The four quarter-finals are due to be staged between 23-26 August.
Burns could be available for any potential quarter-finals, but not Finals Day itself because he will return to Australia for the start of their domestic season.
Burns said: “I’m very excited to sign with Glamorgan for their T20 campaign.
“I have heard a lot of good things about the club and they have been one of the best T20 teams in the country for the last few years and have got off to a good start in this season’s competition.
“I hope I can help the team push for T20 silverware.”