Former Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques has been named captain of Portugal for the upcoming ICC Males’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C, handing the 39-year-old rapid management accountability as he begins the second chapter of his worldwide profession. Cricket Portugal confirmed Henriques’ appointment on Tuesday, with the previous Australia worldwide set to steer a 14-member squad in Finland as Portugal try to maneuver nearer to a maiden look on the Males’s T20 World Cup.
The event comes solely weeks after Henriques ended his 22-year profession in Australian home cricket. It had already been confirmed that the Portugal-born all-rounder would symbolize his nation of start within the 2028 T20 World Cup qualification pathway, however the resolution to position him in control of the aspect considerably expands his function.
Henriques performed 44 internationals for Australia throughout codecs, comprising 4 Exams, 16 ODIs and 24 T20Is. His closing look got here in a T20I in opposition to Bangladesh in Dhaka in August 2021.
Henriques begins new chapter with Portugal
Born in Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Henriques moved to Australia as a baby and subsequently constructed a prolonged profession within the nation’s home system. His Australian profession formally ended final month when he retired from New South Wales and the Sydney Sixers. Henriques completed with 420 appearances for NSW and the Sixers throughout first-class, Listing A and T20 cricket, making him the most-capped participant for Australian home groups. He additionally performed in all 15 accomplished seasons of the Large Bash League and captained the Sixers in 129 matches.
Asserting that call in July, Henriques had hinted on the significance of what was coming subsequent.
“After a little bit of deliberation, I’ve determined it is time for me to name stumps on my BBL profession and taking part in commitments with NSW,” Henriques stated, earlier than including that he was able to “begin wanting ahead to the subsequent chapter of my life.”
That subsequent chapter will now start not merely as a Portugal participant, however as their captain. Henriques brings appreciable management expertise to an Affiliate aspect chasing an unprecedented World Cup berth. He led the Sixers to successive BBL championships within the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons and completed his time on the membership as their main males’s run-scorer with 3,410 runs.
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Portugal have been drawn alongside Israel, Germany, Greece and Czechia of their group on the qualifier in Finland. They start their marketing campaign in opposition to Israel on August 14 earlier than going through Germany on August 15, Greece on August 17 and Czechia on August 20. The ten-team competitors runs from August 14 to 21 throughout Kerava and Vantaa. The 2 group winners will meet within the closing on August 21, with the event champion progressing to the subsequent stage of European qualification for the 2028 World Cup.
The eventual European pathway stays demanding. Beneath the ICC’s revised qualification system for the 2028 event, two European groups will advance to the 16-team World Qualifier, from which the remaining eight locations on the World Cup will probably be determined. For Henriques, nevertheless, the rapid job is Finland — and Portugal have entrusted their World Cup ambitions to a captain who, till 5 years in the past, was nonetheless taking part in worldwide cricket for Australia.
