Dan Christian to return to Nottinghamshire for fifth season as T20 Blast captain

The Australian all-rounder has lifted seven trophies in his T20 career to date, including captaining the Outlaws' side to Finals Day success in 2017

All-rounder Dan Christian will remain as Nottinghamshire's T20 Blast captain for the 2020 season, the county has confirmed.

The Australian, who has featured in 78 limited-overs matches across five seasons at Trent Bridge, had previously completed overseas stints with Middlesex, Gloucestershire and Hampshire, winning the competition with the latter in 2010.

After being named the Outlaws' T20 skipper in 2016, the 36-year-old has led the side to three Finals Day appearances, collecting 356 runs and 11 wickets during the team's triumphant 2017 campaign.

"Trent Bridge has very much become a second home for me," Christian commented.

"Not only is it consistently a fantastic surface for T20 cricket, but the crowds are amongst the best I've had the pleasure of playing in front of.

"I've made some really firm friendships in the Outlaws dressing room, and winning the Blast with Notts in 2017 will forever be one of my career highlights.

"Last season's Finals Day defeat was one of the most agonising days I've ever experienced in cricket, so I'll be doing everything in my power to help us turn that around by going all the way next year."

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After over three years out of favour, a series of strong performances around the T20 circuit earned Christian a surprise international recall for Australia's opening T20 in India in October 2017.

The 36-year-old went on to play his final first-class and List A matches for Victoria later that season, before going on to lift Big Bash and Mzansi Super League trophies within 12 months of becoming a full-time domestic T20 specialist.

Peter Moores, Nottinghamshire's head coach, is confident Christian's experience will continue to prove vital to the county's hopes as a younger side takes on the 2020 campaign following the signings of three academy players to professional deals so far this winter.

"Dan has been a driving force behind making us the most consistent T20 team in the country in recent seasons," Moores added.

"Each time Dan comes over, his energy, passion and knowhow galvanises us. He's an inspirational leader of our group and it's great that he wants to come over for another year.

"He's also someone who throws himself around in the field, has a knack of taking wickets with the ball and – when it comes to giving an innings impetus with the bat – there's no-one better around."

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