Green signs longest deal in Big Bash history

Spinner Chris Green has signed the longest deal in Big Bash history, committing to the Sydney Thunder for another six seasons.

The 26-year-old’s six-season commitment surpasses the five-year deal Chris Lynn signed with the Brisbane Heat two years ago as the longest in the competition’s short history.

Green is yet to play for his country and is not on a state contract list, but instead plies his trade as a T20 gun for hire in domestic leagues around the world.

He said the length of the deal was about repaying the faith the Thunder showed in him when he first joined the club ahead of BBL|04.

"(The) Thunder was the first team that backed me when I was playing grade cricket, so to lock in my future with the club is really exciting," he said.

"It’s not often you have security, so for me to get that with a club that I love, I’m really excited and very grateful for this opportunity to continue to represent Thunder into the future."

Already this year, Green has played in domestic leagues in Australia, the UAE, Canada, the UK and the Caribbean. He’s currently playing in the T20 league in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Australia for the Thunder’s BBL|09 opener against the Heat on December 17.

Uncapped at the highest level, Green has played with and against the likes of Shane Watson, Kevin Pietersen and Kumar Sangakkara in global events, which he says more than makes up for his lack of experience in one-day and first-class cricket in Australia.

"The last few years I really feel like I've grown a lot as a player and a person," he told cricket.com.au last month.

"The nature of T20 cricket and these tournaments is really fast-tracking that growth phase for me.

"The fact you're around some of the best players to ever play the game, the knowledge base you can tap into is amazing."

Despite spending most of his year overseas, Green has been assured by national selector Trevor Hohns that he’s in the mix to be part of Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign next year.

"They told me if there wasn't a World Cup coming up they'd probably advise me differently, to come back and push my case in state cricket," he said.

"It was really great to get that feedback from the Australian selectors, and reassurance they are watching while I'm abroad and that they are taking notice of these tournaments."