Dilshan signs on for New South Wales

Tillakaratne Dilshan, the explosive Sri Lanka batsman, has signed with New South Wales for next summer's Twenty20 domestic competition. New South Wales won the Champions League Twenty20 last year but did not requalify for the lucrative tournament and have wasted no time in securing a big name to partner the likes of David Warner and Phillip Hughes.

Dilshan is currently with the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, is signed up with the English county Sussex, and has also played for New Zealand's Northern Districts this season. Dave Gilbert, the New South Wales chief executive, said Dilshan was one of the world's most destructive batsmen in the format.

"We look forward to him playing a leading role in helping New South Wales win next season's Big Bash and thereby qualifying for the Champions League," Gilbert said. Dilshan, 33, has played 60 Tests, 174 ODIs and 23 T20 internationals for Sri Lanka.