Otago Volts sign Jason Holder for Twenty20 final

Otago Cricket have signed West Indies opening bowler Jason Holder for Saturday night's New Zealand domestic Twenty20 final in Hamilton.

Otago Cricket CEO Ross Dykes said he became aware in recent days of Holder's availability for this weekend's match.

He said that after careful consideration and consultation with the playing group it was decided the West Indian's skills would be put to use in Saturday night's final.

"With Nathan McCullum, [James] Neesham and [Jesse] Ryder committed to the Black Caps and Ian Butler still recovering from injury, we needed some added experience in the bowling stocks and Holder was keen to be involved," Dykes said.

He had IPL experience and was bowling-fit as a result of the series against New Zealand, Dykes said.

Holder's CV includes appearances for the West Indies, Barbados, and the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and the recent Champions League.

In 35 T20 matches, Holder has taken 29 wickets at an economy rate of 7.33.

Volts coach Vaughn Johnson said: "Jason bolsters our squad and gives us another option for this weekend and hopefully beyond.''

"While we are most certainly not getting ahead of ourselves we do have to be prepared for all possible outcomes."

Referring to a possible Champions League qualification, Johnson added: "If we are successful in defending our title then Jason will be a strong addition to our squad in terms of being another option for what might follow."

- © Fairfax NZ News