Buttler to join Sydney Thunder in BBL

London - England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has signed a deal to play for the Sydney Thunder in this season's Australian Big Bash League (BBL). 

It will be Buttler's second stint in the BBL having played for the Melbourne Renegades in the 2013/2014 season. 

The 27-year-old will be available for the first six games of the tournament before he joins up with the England squad for limited-overs duty. 

The Lancashire player, who also played for the Mumbai India in the IPL, is excited to work with former Australia international Mike Hussey, who is the Thunder's coach. 

Buttler said: "I'm delighted to be part of Thunder and get stuck in. Mike Hussey is someone I've really admired and I'm really excited to meet him. I'm really excited. 

"I've played in the BBL once before, ahead of England's last ODI tour to Australia. 

"I've watched the competition go from strength to strength to become one of the best competitions in the world. The crowds are fantastic and there's a big family emphasis which creates a great atmosphere."

Hussey commented: "He can bat at the top of the order like he does for the Mumbai Indians and also in the middle order. 

"We've done a lot of homework and asked around and all the feedback we've heard is that he's a fantastic character that will add a lot to the dressing room. 

"We know we're going to lose him for the second half of the season but we have a strategy in place for that.

"I feel that we're well placed to start the tournament well and it's important to get a few wins on the board early as it can get pretty close late on."

The BBL starts on 9 December with the final scheduled for 25 January 2018.