New South Wales sign Dilshan for domestic T20 event

Melbourne:

After failing to qualify for this year's Champions League Twenty20, the inaugural edition winners New South Wales have signed Tillakaratne Dilshan for next summer's domestic T20 competition, hoping the explosive Sri Lankan batsman would help them make the grade next time.

Dilshan was the player of the tournament at last year's World Twenty20 in England as Sri Lanka reached the final, scoring 317 runs at 52.83 with a strike rate of 144.74.

The 33-year old cricketer, who is currently playing for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, is also a superb fielder and useful off-spin bowler.

His contract with NSW though needs approval from the Sri Lankan cricket board.

"Tillakaratne Dilshan is an outstanding all-round player. We look forward to him playing a leading role in helping NSW win next season's Big Bash and thereby qualifying for the Champions League," Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert said.

Australia's six provincial first-class teams are allowed to recruit two foreign players for the domestic Twenty20 competition, the finalists of which qualify for Champions League.