Daniel Sams joins Essex for Vitality Blast 2022

Australia all-rounder, Daniel Sams has joined Essex for the upcoming Vitality T20 Blast. The 29-year-old has built a reputation for himself as a hard hitting batsman down the order and a good left arm pacer. 

He has performed brilliantly in the Big Bash league over the years and has been a regular pick for the Sydney Thunder. Sams has played seven international games for Australia and has also participated in the IPL.

Mumbai Indians bought Sams in last month’s IPL auction, and he will head to Essex after the completion of his stint with the Mumbai side.

Meanwhile, the head coach of Essex, Anthony McGrath has expressed his happiness over signing Daniel Sams and believes the all-rounder can be a great asset for the club.

“I’m very pleased to secure the signing of Dan for the upcoming Vitality Blast campaign,” Essex head coach, Anthony McGrath, said. “He’s such a versatile player and has consistently been one of the top performers in the Big Bash in recent years. A pace bowling all-rounder is always a great asset and the fact that he is a left arm pacer makes him even more useful. 

“His left-arm angle is so effective in T20 cricket, but he also possesses an excellent change of pace which makes him a real handful. He will also add some firepower to our batting unit, and he hits a long ball,” added McGrath. 

Sams has taken 75 wickets in 56 matches for Sydney Thunder, making him the team’s all-time leading wicket-taker. His batting career strike rate is 150.21, and he made a career-best 98 from 44 balls against Melbourne Renegades in January. These numbers clearly show why his signing is a big one for the Essex side. 

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of Essex Eagles for the Vitality Blast this season,” said Sams. “It is exciting to join a club with such a long and rich history and I look forward to joining the players, coaching staff and supporters and contributing on and off the field to the team’s success.” The Australian is now a part of the most successful clubs in Mumbai Indians and Essex. 

“Dan is a player of great pedigree and Anthony, along with the rest of his team, were very keen to get him in for the Blast campaign. We’re looking to improve on last year’s performance in the shortest format and adding Dan to the squad will help give impetus to the progression of our T20 side,” said Essex CEO and interim chair John Stephenson. 

Sams would be looking to make the most of these opportunities in order to get a spot in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup this year.