Prior, Guptill signed by Thunder

Matt Prior, the England wicketkeeper, and the New Zealand opener Martin Guptill have been signed by the Sydney Thunder to substitute for Chris Gayle and Shahid Afridi at various points of this summer’s BBL.

Guptill will play for the Thunder in their first match of the tournament, a “derby” against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on 5 December, before Gayle takes his place in the team for the remainder of the matches.

BBL rules permit the signing of up to four overseas players, though only two may take the field at any one time.