Dwayne Smith joins Perth Scorchers

West Indies allrounder Dwayne Smith has joined Perth Scorchers for the upcoming Big Bash League season, becoming the second international player to sign for the side following the announcement that South African bowler Alfonso Thomas would be rejoining them.

"I'm really happy to have signed with the Perth Scorchers - they look to have a great squad of players with a good mixture of youth and experience. The BBL is a tournament all players want to be involved, in so I'm really looking forward to joining the lads in Perth and making an impact," Smith said. "Hopefully I can get the side off to a good start at the top of the order and continue on my good form from the recent Champions League in India. Perth is a beautiful city, so hopefully I can experience a bit of what it has to offer in between the cricket."

Smith has struggled to cement his spot in the West Indies team, despite being a crucial part of the Mumbai Indians side that won the 2013 IPL and Champions League Twenty20, for which he was the Player of the Tournament after making 223 runs at an average of 55.75 and a strike rate of 142.94.

"I want to be part of the West Indies team that defends the T20 crown next year (in Bangladesh)," he said. "I'm looking at the 2015 World Cup, so I want to make a big impression here."

Scorchers coach Justin Langer described Smith as a welcome addition to the side, citing his stunning form in the Twenty20 matches over the last 12 months, as well as the fact that he would be available for the entire BBL season.

"Dwayne is a fantastic batsman, he's a brilliant fieldsman and he can bowl some overs, so he's a great addition to the Scorchers," Langer said. "He was very keen to get back to BBL so it was a pretty easy negotiation. Dwayne was high on the list, because of the challenges you have with securing overseas players."

Smith has represented Sussex, Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians and Barbados at T20 level. In addition, he also played for New South Wales in the BBL in 2009-10.

Shaun Marsh, who also announced his contract extension with the Scorchers, was equally as pleased with his team's new signing.

"I have had the pleasure of watching him play in the IPL and for West Indies over the last few years and he certainly brings a lot of excitement to the game with bat, ball and in the field," Marsh said. "He's a really aggressive player and I think we will work really well together at the top."