Just ask Australian paceman Mitchell Starc if new Sydney Thunder import Tillakaratne Dilshan’s trademark ‘Dilscoop’ works at the Sri Lankan’s new home ground.

A seasoned international veteran, Dilshan will make his Big Bash T20 debut for Thunder against the pacesetting Melbourne Stars at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.

His dashing unorthodox batting and tidy off spin will be invaluable assets, as Thunder aim to end a two-year 15-match losing streak.

Dilshan, who replaces Englishman Chris Woakes, is renowned for his improvised strokeplay.

In his only previous appearance at the Olympic Stadium early in 2013, Dilshan took a 144km thunderbolt on off stump from left-arm speedster Starc in a T20 international and scooped it over the wicketkeeper’s head for six.

“The very straight short boundaries might be a help for me,” Dilshan said on Tuesday.

Used to shouldering responsibility in other teams, Dilshan wasn’t focusing on Thunder’s losing streak.

“The past record is past now, we have to start from tomorrow,” Dilshan said.

Thunder Skipper Mike Hussey has set Dilshan a nice easy target to start with.

“Hopefully he can score 120 not out off about 35 balls, two wickets and a run out and we’ll be very happy,” Hussey joked.

“He’s going to be an excellent addition to our team, he brings a lot of experience and a lot of class.”

Dilshan will open the batting and is no stranger to taking the new ball when bowling.

“I’m used to opening the batting and bowling in T20 internationals and some club tournaments as well,” Dilshan said.

Hussey is adamant Thunder are close to breaking their drought and just need to improve in a couple of areas.

“Our fielding can definitely sharpen up,” Hussey said.

“Probably finishing our innings off with both bat and ball, we can definitely get a little bit better at as well.

“But we come up against the Stars and it’s a different challenge all together.

“They are a fantastic team.

“They are hard to plan against because they can throw up high quality options.”

The Stars reached 200 in each of their first two games, winning them by 76 and 77 runs.