Cape Town - Proteas all-rounder Chris Morris has been snapped up by the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League.

Morris will be playing as an overseas player and joins the club on a one-year deal.

The 32-year-old has played four Tests, 42 One-Day Internationals and 23 T20s for the Proteas to date.

Morris will be making his Big Bash debut as the tournament gets underway from December 17-February 8.

"Obviously since the tournament started with the Big Bash, it's one of the tournaments that any cricketer would want to play in," said Morris on the Sydney Thunder's official website.

"For me the way I looked at it was, it was part of my cricketing career bucket list. It was a no-brainer when Sydney Thunder came calling."

Morris stated that he is looking forward to working with one of his childhood heroes, Thunder head coach Shane Bond.

"Shane was one of my heroes growing up, I told him this a few times very gingerly," said Morris.

"I've got quite a good relationship with him. In the IPL we always chat, we talk about bowling and just in general get on quite well."

Bond revealed that he always had his eye on Morris and hopes he can utilise his star power with both bat and ball.

"Chris is someone who I had my eye on. It's always great to have a player who can change the game with bat and ball," Bond said.

"He's an experienced, hardened cricketer who bowls 90mph and smacks it with the bat. Those players are very rare, so he brings a unique skill set.

"I'm looking forward to welcoming his personality and competitiveness to the team as well."

Morris will feature in the Mzansi Super League for the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, which ends on December 16. He will then join his Thunder team-mates in Sydney ahead of the Big Bash season.

Sydney Thunder is set to open its ninth Big Bash League campaign against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on December 17.

Compiled by Lynn Butler