Big Bash break for Thisara

Saturday, 8 December 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Brisbane Heat have swiftly reacted to the dual loss of Daniel Vettori and Dale Steyn by signing Sri Lankan allrounder Thisara Perera for the Big Bash League.

The left-hand batsman and right-arm pace bowler flies into Brisbane late on Friday and is set to play in Sunday’s twilight match against the Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba.

Perera will be the Heat’s only international player for their opener with Vettori (groin) ruled out of the BBL, West Indies’ quick Kemar Roach unavailable and Steyn blocked from taking up his one-match deal by South African officials.

Overlooked for Sri Lanka’s Test squad, the 23-year-old has signed for the entire Twenty20 competition, subject to any call-ups to the touring national side.

Heat coach Darren Lehmann said he was pleased and relieved that Perera had been able to join them at short notice after losing Vettori and Steyn on Wednesday.

“We had Thisara in mind as a contingency when we were working through the various options for international players,” Lehmann said. “We were pretty pleased though when he said he was available to come in time for the weekend. “It will be good to have him playing on Sunday and then have him ready for the Adelaide game along with Kemar Roach.” Perera became the fourth Sri Lankan bowler to take a hat-trick in ODIs this year against Pakistan, when he also completed a run-out off his own bowling in the same maiden over.

He was a member of the Sri Lankan team that made the final of the T20 World Cup at home in September when they lost to champions the West Indies.