Fast bowler Leighton Burtt will play his cricket in Wellington during the 2010/11 domestic cricket season.
The 26-year old former New Zealand U19 player Burtt joins Wellington from his home province Canterbury, whom he has played four consecutive seasons for since his debut for the Wizards at the start of the 2006/07 season.
Wellington Firebirds Head Coach Anthony Stuart said Burtt’s move is a welcome boost to the region’s fast bowling stocks.
“Having Leighton Burtt in Wellington will add further bowling depth to our wider Wellington Firebirds squad this season,” Stuart said. “He’s a tall, strongly built bowler who generates good pace and swing and troubles top order batsmen.”
“He’s built up a good track record as a wicket-taking opening bowler over the past few seasons for Canterbury and he’s still a young guy with his best cricket in front of him.”
“Due to injuries and last season’s retirement of Iain O’Brien, we had an inexperienced attack throughout much of last summer and Leighton’s arrival will give us an extra dimension with the new ball.”
Burtt is excited about coming to Wellington and is looking forward to furthering his career with the Firebirds:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be making the move to Wellington at this stage of my career. I have aspirations to play international cricket and a move to Wellington, with its excellent first-class structure and the opportunity to make the Basin Reserve my home ground, will hopefully be the catalyst for me in reaching the next level.”
“My goal is very much to prove to the Wellington selectors early on that my form is good and that I warrant a spot in the Firebirds team. Then it’s about taking wickets, which is my job, and hopefully being a big part of a successful Firebirds season.”
In 24 first-class matches, Burtt has taken 76 wickets with a best return of 6 for 108. He has also played 22 One-Day matches and has taken 35 wickets with a best return of 5 for 26 and 12 HRV Cup Twenty matches, taking 12 wickets with a best of 2 for 16.
Burtt’s signing follows last week’s announcement that Grant Elliott will captain the Wellington Firebirds and Jeetan Patel will be his deputy for the 2010/11 season.
