Moises Henriques

Only a few people born in Portugal have played Test cricket and Aussie all-rounder Moises Henriques is one among them. It was in 2013 that Henqriques went onto become the second Test cricketer born in Portugal after Dick Westcott who represented South Africa in the 1950s. 

A well-organised batsman with an ability to hit the long ball, Henriques is also an impressive medium pacer and has got several important wickets in his career so far. 

Born in the Portuguese Island of Madeira, Henriques moved to Australia as a one-year-old and started playing cricket at the age of 9. The all-rounder first rose into prominence as a 16-year-old when he impressed one and all with his performances in the 2004 U-19 World Cup. He bagged 11 wickets in the tournament. 

In 2006, he led Australia in the U-19 World Cup. He scored more than 150 runs and also finished as the leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps. 

After his consistent performance, he made his first-class debut for New South Wales against South Australia in 2006. He bagged a five-wicket haul soon after but injuries started to peg back his career. After a few poor returns and shoulder injury, Henriques failed to make the cut. 

However, he worked on his fitness and made a comeback with some impressive performances for his club St George in Sydney Grade Cricket. Henriques was handed over his T20I debut against New Zealand in 2009. He eventually made his ODI debut the same year against India after being brought in as a replacement for James Hopes. 

Henriques made a surprise Test debut during Australia’s tour of India in 2013. He made an immediate impact and scored twin half-centuries in his opening Test. Despite showing class in his debut match, Henriques had to wait for 3 more years to play his next Test in 2017 and was dropped immediately after. 

He waited for over three years again and was called up for the Test series against India in December 2020 but didn’t feature in any match.

In the recently concluded BBL tournament, Sydney Sixers led by Moises Henriques won their third title. Along with effortless hitting, his captaincy proved to be a major turnout for the Sixers. Seeing his recent form in the BBL, Punjab Kings decided to invest in the big Aussie ahead of the 2021 edition of the IPL. He was bought for a whopping INR 4.2 crores. 

Despite being one of the most impressive all-rounders in the Australian domestic circuit, Henriques has never really managed to cement his place in the Australian side. He had played 57 IPL matches so far and played a pivotal role when Sunrisers Hyderabad won the campaign in 2016. Making his return after 2017, he would look to impress his new franchise and mould the newly added rosters to the squad.

(As of March 2021)