Thunder sign spinner Mendis for BBL

Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis is the latest signing for the Sydney Thunder, providing a dangerous leg-spin threat in the T20 Big Bash League starting this month.

The 28-year-old Mendis has played 17 Tests since his 2008 debut, taking 64 wickets at 34.20, but it’s in T20 that he’s really excelled.

He has an overall economy rate of 6.56 over 85 career T20 matches, including figures of 6-8 against Zimbabwe in September 2012.

The Thunder’s coach, fellow Sri Lankan Chandika Hathurusinge, believes the spinner is a key addition to a team that includes plenty of batting firepower with the likes of David Warner, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Usman Khawaja and Eoin Morgan.

“The signing of Ajantha is a major boost for the Thunder, because he provides both experience and an element of mystery to the bowling line-up,” said Hathurusinge.

“He is a proven performer in all formats of the game and has had particular success in the T20 arena where he is someone who can take wickets, which is crucial in slowing the opposition scoring.”

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