Galaxy Gladiators Lantau have signed New Zealand all-rounder Jesse Ryder for Hong Kong T20 Blitz.
The 32-year-old is the second international star to sign for Galaxy Gladiators Lantau, who recently landed Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara.
Ryder has represented New Zealand on 88 occasions across all formats, his best performance coming in a 2009 Test match against India in which he scored 201 runs. Also scorer of the seventh-fastest ODI hundred – off of just 46 balls against West Indies in 2014 – he brings explosive firepower to Gladiators’ batting line-up for this year’s Blitz, which runs from March 8-12.
Since November 2016, Ryder has been plying his trade in New Zealand with first-class side Central Districts. This follows three successful years with English county side Essex, during which time he assumed a pivotal role with bat and ball. He had a particularly fruitful 2015 season, amassing 1,359 runs and taking 48 wickets in all formats.
“I’m looking forward to joining up with the Galaxy Gladiators squad and excited to be a part of this year’s Hong Kong T20 Blitz. It looks set to be a fantastic tournament with lots of talented local and international players on display,” said the New Zealander, best known for his destructive batting and wily medium-paced bowling.
Gladiators Head Coach, Scott McKechnie, had this to say about the signing: "We're delighted to bring Jesse on board for the upcoming Hong Kong T20 Blitz. He has proven himself to be a dominant force at the highest level with bat and ball and in differing conditions across the globe. I'm certain his impact on this event will be no different and we look forward to him joining the squad."