The Sydney Sixers have turned to West Indies Twenty20 sensation Carlos Brathwaite for their Big Bash League salvation but their bid to sign him has struck red tape.
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The struggling Sixers are awaiting Brathwaite's visa to be completed before unveiling him as a star recruit but the deal is expected to go ahead.
Brathwaite is in New Zealand after playing in the recent Twenty20 series with the Windies.
The 29-year-old's signature would provide the SCG-based franchise with a much-needed morale boost after a terrible start to their campaign.
Runner-up last season, the Sixers' chances of making the finals are all but over after losing their opening five games. They would need to win every match from here to have any hope of making the top four.
After losing three games that had gone into the final over, the Sixers hit rock bottom in Geelong on Wednesday, thrashed by eight wickets by the Renegades with 28 balls remaining.
The inaugural BBL champions have also been rocked by the absence of skipper Moises Henriques due to personal reasons and a season-ending injury to spinner Stephen O'Keefe, who has been one of their better performers.
There is likely to be a regeneration on and off the field for the men in magenta at the end of the season. General manager Dominic Remond has already announced his departure to take up a role as the CEO of a new e-sports venture launching in Australia.
The franchise also faces important decisions with its recruiting. While rival clubs have signed big names from overseas l such as Kevin Pietersen, Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Bravo, the Sixers have opted for lower-profile players in Sam Billings and Jason Roy, who have not delivered.
Big hitter: Carlos Brathwaite hits a six during the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 final. Photo: Bikas Das
The return of Test duo Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird for the second half of the season should help the Sixers inexperienced attack, which has lacked penetration with only 18 wickets from five games.
Brathwaite received his big break two seasons ago when he made his Test debut against Australia in Melbourne. Six weeks later, he was bought by the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League player auction for a whopping $842,000, well above his humble reserve of $60,000.
The all-rounder's finest moment came when he won the World T20 final off his own bat. With his team needing 19 runs for victory, Brathwaite heaved Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes to win the match with two balls to spare.
Brathwaite made his BBL debut last summer when he signed with crosstown rival Sydney Thunder as their replacement for an injured Andre Russell. His arrival, however, was unable to help the Western Sydney team defend their title.
