SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) — Chris Gayle will pair with national opener David Warner for the first season of Cricket Australia’s expanded Twenty20 Big Bash.

The Sydney Thunder scooped up the dynamic West Indies opener for an undisclosed sum, within minutes of the signing window being opened.

The Western Australia Cricket Association said Gayle is heading to the Thunder, after the Perth Scorchers rejected his contractual demands.

“I am thrilled to be able to come to Sydney and play for the Thunder,” said Gayle in a statement.

“Having worked well with (coach) John Dyson in the West Indies, I was impressed with his plans for the Thunder, and I think the team will have a great chance to win this competition.

“I look forward to walking out to open the batting with David Warner when the season starts.”

The 31-year-old Gayle is a highly sought player for T20 leagues around the world, even if he has fallen out of favour with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

He finished this year’s lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) season as the highest run-scorer in the tournament for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The WACA said it made an offer of US$265,000 to Gayle, but they could not agree terms with the left-handed opener.

WACA chief executive Graeme Wood said it was disappointing to lose Gayle, after he had played for the WA Warriors in the past two Big Bash competitions.

The Big Bash opens on December 30 and finishes on February 5.