Kent opener Joe Denly has signed to play for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League in Australia.

The 2017 Kent player of the year will replace England opener Jason Roy who will join Kent colleague Sam Billings in the ODI series against Australia, starting next week.

Joe will be in familiar surroundings having spent four winters playing at Sydney Cricket Club.

Denly has played five T20 Internationals for England and 162 T20’s at the domestic level.

In 2017, he was the top run scorer in the NatWest T20 Blast tournament and holds the top T20 individual score of 127, as well as scoring over 1,800 runs at all levels of County cricket and taking home the Kent Player of the Year and Batsman of the Year awards.

He will join the Sixers next week ahead of the Sydney Smash against the Sydney Thunder at the SCG and will aim to bring some fire power to the top order.

Head Coach Greg Shipperd said Denly’s local knowledge and bowling ability provided some handy options.

“The Sixers welcome Joe Denly into their fold as a replacement player for Jason Roy,” he said.

“Joe has enjoyed a great past two T20 competitions as a leading run scorer in the English domestic competition and more recently a successful season in the Bangladesh league.

“We will be looking forward to his introduction as one of our top order batsman who can also bowl leg spin.

“Joe also a strong reputation as a fieldsman and last season played here in Sydney so he understands our conditions and we wish him every success as we search for a strong finish in our remaining matches.”

Denly has spent four summers playing Premier Cricket in Sydney, all with the Sydney Cricket Club, who he will join for tomorrow’s one day match against Parramatta at Old Kings Oval.

The 31-year-old will remain with the Sixers until the conclusion of the BBL tournament, before joining his Kent teammates in the West Indies for a training camp.