Pune Warriors sign Marlon Samuels

New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Pune Warriors have signed on West Indian all-rounder Marlon Samuels in a two-year deal.

The West Indian becomes the first player to be brought in by the Sahara-owned Warriors after they cleared their differences with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Samuels though will only be available for the first half of the tournament. He would be representing the national team when West Indies host Australia in March-April and then in May when they play away to England. The West Indian is currently playing for the Duronto Rajshahi in the Bangladesh Premier League. The Warriors have already lost Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh through a back injury while Tim Paine has also been sidelined with injury. The Warriors now have three more slots left for overseas players and the franchise has a wicket-keeper, a middle-order batsman and an all-rounder as top priority on their buying list. IANS