Smith snapped up by Blues

Dwayne Smith brought down the curtain on his Sussex career with a hat-trick against Nottinghamshire in the NatWest Pro40

Former Sussex all-rounder Dwayne Smith has signed with New South Wales to play in Australia’s KFC Twenty20 Big Bash competition.

The 26-year-old Bajan has played 10 Test matches for West Indies and scored a century on debut against South Africa in 2004.

It is in limited-overs cricket where he has excelled, representing West Indies in 71 one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches.

Winners of the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 in India in October, the Blues have recruited a talented all-rounder to their squad, who boasts an excellent record in the Twenty20 format.

He has plenty of experience at domestic level worldwide, having played for Sussex in 2008 and 2009, and for the Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

Smith is currently unable to return to Sussex next season, as he no longer satisfies the status of a Kolpak player.

NSW recently observed Smith first hand during the Champions League when he played for Sussex against them in the second match of the tournament.

"We are delighted to have secured the services of Dwayne Smith for the upcoming KFC Big Bash," said Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert.

"Dwayne is a dynamic player and will provide us with power hitting in the middle order as well as a vital bowling option with his deceptive medium pacers.

"He is also a superb fielder and his experience in this form of the game will be a big plus for our squad."

Smith also expressed his delight at joining the Blues.

He said: "I'm really excited to be on board with the Blues for the KFC Big Bash.

"They have an amazing squad which is obviously full of confidence after winning the Champions League in October.

"I look forward to working with Matthew Mott and the whole squad to help ensure success for NSW in their Twenty campaign this summer."