McKay makes move to Thunder for BBL|05

Sydney Thunder have bolstered their bowling stocks for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League season with the signing of former international paceman Clint McKay.

The Victorian, who played the last four BBL seasons for the Melbourne Stars, brings with him an impressive resume having collected 97 wickets in 59 one-day internationals, including a hat-trick against England in 2013.

He last played for Australia in January last year and has also represented his country in six T20 Internationals and one Test.

Watch: McKay takes a hat-trick

McKay, currently part of Victoria’s Matador BBQs One-Day Cup squad, spent the off-season playing with Leicestershire in England county cricket.

The 32-year-old said he was looking forward to linking up with some former international teammates in BBL|05.

"I’m very excited, I can’t wait to join the likes of Shane Watson and Michael Hussey," McKay said.

"I played with them in International cricket and it’s great to be back playing with them again."

McKay said the opportunity to play more cricket and the desire to win the BBL was behind his decision to sign with the Thunder.

"I’ve spoken to guys like Andrew McDonald and Aiden Blizzard about the set up at Sydney Thunder and how the club is definitely going places.

"It’s something I want to be a part of, and something I want to achieve in my cricket career before it’s all over.

"There’s some great people involved in this organization and it is something I want to help to improve further."

McKay, who took three wickets in three matches for the Stars in BBL|04, will add depth to a Thunder bowling line-up that already includes Gurinder Sandhu, Shane Watson, Jacques Kallis and Fawad Ahmed.

Watch: McKay's final-over BBL miracle

"I think that I will bring more experience as well, especially to help some of those younger bowlers coming through," McKay said.

"I’ll sit down with the coaching staff and Mike (Hussey) and work out exactly what role I need to play for the Sydney Thunder."

Sydney Thunder General Manager Nick Cummins said McKay would help fill the hole left by paceman Pat Cummins' back injury, which has ruled him out of the summer.

"At the end of last season we were quick to negotiate his release from the Melbourne Stars to provide a touch of class touch to our bowling attack," Cummins said.

"Clint's presence will have added importance with Pat Cummins' recent injury, and an attack of Sandhu, McKay, Kallis, Watson and Ahmed should give Mike plenty of attacking options to work with."

Thunder BBL05 squad: Fawad Ahmed, Aiden Blizzard, Pat Cummins, Jake Doran, Chris Hartley, Michael Hussey, Jacques Kallis, Usman Khawaja, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Ben Rohrer, Gurinder Sandhu, Shane Watson

Thunder WBBL01 squad: Alex Blackwell, Stefanie Daffara, Rene Farrell, Mikayla Hinkley, Erin Osborne, Naomi Stalenberg