Kallis signs up with Sydney Thunder

Jacques Kallis has signed up with Sydney Thunder for the next two seasons of Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition, the Big Bash League. Kallis, who has been part of the two IPL titles-winning Kolkata Knight Riders side, said he was looking forward to playing in Australia.

"I will be playing against a few guys who I have played against most of my career, guys like Huss [Michael Hussey], now I am looking forward to play with these guys," Kallis said.

Kallis, who retired from Tests in December last year, has scored 3673 runs and taken 95 wickets in 143 T20 matches. He will join England's Eoin Morgan and Chris Woakes, and Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan and Ajantha Mendis in the Thunder team, captained by Michael Clarke.

"Signing a player of Jacques' quality and experience is phenomenal news for Thunder fans," Nick Cummins, the Sydney Thunder general manager, said. "He is one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game and apart from his experience and leadership, he is still a brilliant allrounder who will give the side a quality top-order batsman and versatile bowling option.

"Just having a player of his stature around the group will be great for our young players and he will bring big match temperament and a winning attitude to our squad."

Looking forward to playing for Sydney Thunder in Big Bash this year. I am sure it gonna be a lot of fun pic.twitter.com/jTjYPIbz22

— Jacques Kallis (@jacqueskallis75) June 12, 2014