Dan Christian, the big-hitting Australian who recently became the talk of the Big Bash with a pair of explosive half-centuries, has re-signed for the Notts Outlaws.
The 34-time Australian international spent the second half of last season with the Outlaws and will return to Trent Bridge for the 2016 NatWest T20 Blast.
He featured in the final seven T20 matches before really finding his form in the 50-over format with scores of 59 off 36 balls against Kent, 72 off 48 balls against Hampshire, 48 not out off 35 balls against Durham and 54 off 43 balls in the semi-final against Surrey.
His seam bowling took 13 wickets across the two competitions, including a five wicket haul to help secure victory over the Warwickshire Bears at Welbeck.
Christian’s impressive form has since continued down under, helping Victoria to the Elimination Final of the 50-over Matador Cup with a top score of 60 not out versus Western Australia and 38 not out off 14 balls against Tasmania.
Having joined the Hobart Hurricanes for the Big Bash, Christian hit the headlines by striking a 117-metre six over the roof of the Gabba, en route to 56 not out off 24 balls against his former franchise the Brisbane Heat.
“He got better and better over the course of his time with us last season which made him a player we were very keen to bring back,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.
“We’ll use him in a different role in Twenty20 cricket, higher up the order where he can make more of a batting impact.
“He is performing really well in the Big Bash and I’m sure other clubs showed some interest, but he enjoyed his time here and that’s the kind of relationship we want to build with our overseas players.”
Christian’s contribution to the Club in 2015 went beyond explosive performances for the first team in white ball cricket.
The 32-year-old also chose to lend his experience to Nottinghamshire’s young Second XI, something Newell expects him to repeat during the forthcoming season.
“Twenty20 overseas can be a bit of a lonely lifestyle because you are only required once a week,” added Newell. “But he wanted to play in the second team games in-between to keep ticking over, something I’m sure he’ll do again.
“It was great that he wanted to play, he captained the second team on some occasions and great that the other players could have that quality around them.”
The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.