Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Powerful top-order batsman Ryan Gibson has joined the Adelaide Strikers as a local replacement player for Travis Head.
Head will be unavailable while he is part of Australia’s Vodafone Test squad to play India, which is scheduled to finish at the end of the fourth Test, starting 15 January.
Gibson is an impressive right-hand talent from New South Wales, with 13 KFC BBL games to his name since he made his debut with the Sydney Thunder in BBL|06.
With a high score of 53, the 26-year-old, also a handy leg-spinner, has proven he can perform at the level.
Gibson relocated to Adelaide ahead of the 2020-21 Premier Cricket season, and he started it with aplomb for West Torrens, crushing 205 from just 136 balls in the opening match.
He was also captain of a NSW XI side that faced the England Lions in a one-day tour match in February, leading from the front with a top-score of 87.
Gibson had held a NSW contract for five years before turning to South Australia for more senior opportunity this season.
Head Coach Jason Gillespie said:
“We’re extremely pleased that Ryan is able to join us while our captain Travis Head fulfils his Test duties against India.
“He is a fine inclusion for us with his ball-striking, and general cricket nous that will greatly benefit the group.
“We’re all behind Travis and wish him every success for this Test series, and we also have every faith in our depth and the senior leaders in our team.”
The Strikers will begin BBL|10 against the Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena on Sunday.
Adelaide Strikers’ BBL|10 squad: Danny Briggs (OS), Phil Salt (OS), Rashid Khan (OS), Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Travis Head (c), Ryan Gibson, Spencer Johnson, Michael Neser, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Matt Renshaw, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Daniel Worrall.
