'T20 star' Dilshan signs with Sydney Thunder for Big Bash league

Big Bash team Sydney Thunder has signed swashbuckling Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan for the next season.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Dilshan said two of the key factors in joining the Thunder were his relationship with former Sri Lanka international Chandika Hathurusinghe, who has taken over as the team's coach, and a desire to play for the first time with retired Australian great Mike Hussey, the team's marquee recruit.

Dilshan ranks fourth for runs in Twenty20 internationals, behind only Brendon McCullum, Mahela Jayawardene and David Warner, and once made an unbeaten 104 from 57 balls against Australia, the report said.

Third-placed Warner will be a teammate at the Thunder, pending national team availability, the report added.

Dilshan, who is also a handy off-spinner, thrived on Sri Lanka's one-day series visits here in the past two summers, during which he made two centuries and three half-centuries, the report further said.