Farbrace: "Carlos is the perfect fit for us"

The West Indian powerhouse will bring his immense batting and bowling powers to Edgbaston for the Blast, but also much more besides, reckons the Bears director of cricket who is as excited as the fans are by the marquee signing.

Farbrace knows first-hand about the spectacular batting powers that the new Bear possesses - he was in the England coaching set-up when Brathwaite smashed Ben Stokes for four sixes to clinch the World T20 for West Indies at Eden Gardens.

Those batting powers on the Bears' behalf will be very welcome this year but, insists Farbrace, Brathwaite's influence will also be much broader.

"We all know what he can do with the bat and ball and that he is a true match-winner, but can also turn matches for us in other ways. In T20, nobody comes off with bat and ball all the time, but what a player like Carlos can do every time is influence games with his knowledge and experience, whether it's a chat in the field or a word to a new batsman from the non-striker's end.

"As soon as the members meet him they will see what a relaxed guy he is, great to be around and great to learn from, and that makes him just perfect for us. I'm really excited about us getting him and about our prospects as a team in the Blast this year."