NSW sign Dwayne Smith for Twenty20

Dwayne Smith, the West Indies allrounder, has been picked up by New South Wales as an overseas player for Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition. The Blues won the inaugural Champions League tournament in India in October and are chasing qualification for next year's lucrative event by making the final in the local campaign.

After missing out on Keiron Pollard, who went to South Australia, New South Wales signed Smith, who has played 10 Tests, 71 ODIs and five Twenty20s. He is highly qualified in the domestic Twenty20 format, having appeared with Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in the IPL, and Sussex in the Champions League.

David Gilbert, New South Wales' chief executive, said the Blues had been attracted to Smith's power hitting in the middle order and his deceptive medium pace. "His experience in this form of the game will be a big plus for our squad," Gilbert said.

Smith said the Blues line-up looked amazing and would be full of confidence after winning the Champions League. "I look forward to working with Matthew Mott and the whole squad to help ensure success for New South Wales in their Twenty20 campaign this summer," he said. They play their first game in the tournament on December 30 and the final is scheduled for January 23.