Billings, 32, has signed a three-year deal with the Thunder and will be available for every game during all three seasons
Sam Billings has signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Thunder as his chooses the Big Bash over rival T20 leagues.
The English wicket-keeper becomes the first player to elect for a new multi-year deal with the men's Big Bash and returns to the side where he spent consecutive seasons between 2020 and 2022.
Billings, 32, said: "I love Sydney and in particular Western Sydney and the chance to come back to a family club that is so connected to their members and fans and the people from the area was too good an opportunity to ignore.
"On the field we are pulling together a really good squad and the chance to work with such an accomplished coach as Trevor Bayliss again was very appealing.”
There will an overlap with South Africa’s franchise competition, the SA20 and the ILT20 for this year’s competition which prompted the Big Bash to offer multi-year deals to ensure loyalty from their overseas players.
The Kent T20 captain chose to give up red-ball cricket and explained his decision to The Cricketer: "It is unsustainable to play 11 months of the year, as I was trying to do." This had led to him feeling "completely burnt out."
Related: Sam Billings: "It is unsustainable to play 11 months of the year, as I was trying to do"
Sam Billings enjoyed a successful stint for the Sydney Thunder over two years he spent at the team (Chris Hyde/Stringer)
Billings signing the deal is an immediate victory for the Big Bash over competing leagues, however, it remains to be seen whether other players join him.
Billings added: "The BBL is in such a great place these days, it's well run, well supported and definitely the best tournament in the world staged at that time of the year. That's why I have committed long term and to be here right until the end of the tournament each year."
His decision to choose just one of the three competitions comes off the back of him speaking openly to The Cricketer about feeling the integrity of the competitions was being affected by overseas players coming and going.
He believes that fellow players should be available for the whole competition they sign up for: "For the integrity of each competition, I think that it's absolutely paramount that that happens. There needs to be regulation.
"You put your name in the hat, you get a gig or you don't. So, if other contracts are agreed in principle before, then you hold your word."
The Thunder are looking to turn their fortunes around under newly appointed general manager Trent Copeland after finishing bottom of the table last season.
He said: "The beauty of bringing a player the calibre of Sam Billings to the club is not just the elite skillset he brings to every facet of the game but also his leadership on and off the field."
While Billings may be the first BBL multi-year signing, WBBL side the Sydney Sixers have already secured the services of Amelia Kerr from the Brisbane Heat under the new rules.
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