Luke Wright to join Wellington Firebirds for 2010/11 HRV Cup

Cricket Wellington is pleased to announce the signing of Luke Wright for the 2010/11 HRV Cup Twenty20 competition.

England International Wright will join the Wellington Firebirds for the HRV Cup which runs throughout December, with the final scheduled for 2 January.

As a wicket-taking fast-medium bowler and explosive, hard-hitting middle order or opening batsman, all-rounder Luke Wright is a proven match winner with both bat and ball.

Twenty-five year old Wright has just completed his seventh season with top performing English county side Sussex, who were the 2009 English domestic Twenty20 champions and reached the quarterfinals in 2010. He has played a combined 69 One-Day and Twenty20 internationals for England and was recently involved in England’s ODI and Twenty20 home series against Pakistan.

Cricket Wellington Chief Executive Gavin Larsen is excited about Wright joining the Wellington Firebirds.

“Luke is an excellent signing and I look forward to him delivering quality Twenty20 performances for our Wellington Firebirds. He’s a player with a real X-factor, is multi-skilled, and is a superb team man who I’m sure will bring plenty to the Firebirds on and off the field.”

Coach Anthony Stuart says Wright will be a welcome addition to the Firebirds this summer.

“I'm thrilled that Wellington has secured a player of Luke Wright’s quality. He is exactly the type of player who will complement the skill set of our current Firebirds players. We were looking for an exciting player who has the ability to win matches with both bat and ball. Luke will perform this role extremely well.”

Wright is excited about joining the Firebirds for their Twenty20 campaign.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Wellington and helping the Firebirds in the HRV Cup and I’m eager to transfer the success I’ve had with Sussex to the Firebirds.

“Having played many games against the BLACKCAPS previously and toured New Zealand with England two years ago, I know first hand the skill and toughness that Kiwis bring to the cricket field and I’m keen to test myself alongside and against the best in their domestic competition.”

Wright is coming off a successful 2010 year, having been an integral member of the England ICC Twenty20 World Cup winning team in the West Indies in May, notably taking the vital wicket of in-form Australian Cameron White in the final. Back home, his county Sussex reached the quarterfinals of the 18-team English domestic Twenty20 competition and recently finished second in their group behind finalists Surrey in the 40-over One-Day series. Sussex also won the Division Two County Championship.

Wright has also had previous success in New Zealand and against the BLACKCAPS, playing in both Twenty20 internationals and three of the five ODI matches of the New Zealand-England series in February 2008, bowling the final over and conceding just six runs at the death in the high scoring tied match at Napier and top scoring with 47 in the series decider at Auckland that the BLACKCAPS won. He also played against New Zealand in the return home series in June 2008.

Wright is contracted to the Firebirds from late November through to the HRV Cup Final.

Luke Wright

Full name: Luke James Wright Born: March 7, 1985, Lincolnshire, England Major teams: England, England Lions, England U19s, Leicestershire, Sussex Playing role: All-rounder Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm medium fast

One Day Internationals (debut v India 2007): Matches 42. Runs 600, HS 52, average 21.42, 50s 2. Wickets: 15, BB 2 for 34, RPO 5.09

Twenty20 Internationals (debut v Zimbabwe 2007): Matches 27. Runs 328, HS 71, SR 129.13, boundaries hit 43. Wickets 6, BB 1 for 5, RPO 8.42

List A (50-over matches domestic): Matches 140. Runs 2069, HS 125, average 22.98, 100s 1, 50s 5. Wickets: 100, BB 4 for 12, RPO 5.28

Twenty20 overall (including domestic): Matches 79. Runs 1180, HS 103, SR 142.16, boundaries hit 167. Wickets 43, BB 3 for 17, RPO 8.03

First-class (since 2003): Matches 66. Runs 2867, HS 155 not out, average 36.75, 100s 8, 50s 15. Wickets 101, BB 5 for 65, average 38.85, 5WI 3

Source: cricinfo.com

For more information contact: Gavin Larsen, Cricket Wellington CEO, 021 409 860 Anthony Stuart, Wellington Firebirds Head Coach, 021 409 870

ENDS

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