Eoin Morgan, the England batsman, has signed up to play for the Sydney Thunder at Australia's Big Bash League. Morgan will join Michael Hussey and David Warner as the high-profile signings at the T20 franchise this year, for the league that begins on December 21.
"I am really excited about getting the opportunity to join the Sydney Thunder for this season's Big Bash," Morgan said in a statement. "I have been a big admirer of the tournament and I'm looking forward to getting a chance to play in it."
Morgan, one of England's premier limited-overs players, also plays in the IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders. He led a second-string England team against Ireland in an ODI recently, and in the one-day series against Australia following the 2013 Ashes. Morgan was not picked in England's 2013-14 Ashes squad, and would most likely be on national duty only in the lead-up to the limited-overs series that starts on January 12.
He tweeted about his keenness to work with Michael Hussey, who will lead the Thunder in the absence of Michael Clarke - away on national duty for the England Tests.
I'm delighted to announce that I have signed for Sydney Thunder @ThunderBBL Really looking forward to playing under Mike Hussey.
— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) October 15, 2013
Hussey was brought over from the Perth Scorchers, in a bid to revive the struggling Thunder - the team has won only two matches over the past two seasons. Warner, meanwhile, had re-signed with the Thunder after a season with their cross-city rivals, the Sydney Sixers. He had played the inaugural season for the Thunder, before leaving them after a dispute with the general manager John Dyson.