South Australia ropes in Ajantha Mendis

South Australia has roped in Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis for this season's Twenty20 Big Bash, the club said on Tuesday.

Announcing the prized catch, South Australia High Performance Manager Jamie Cox said, "I need to make it clear that Ajantha has been signed as an overseas player but will only play in the KFC Big Bash Series.

The Sheffield Shield and Ford Ranger Cup competitions remain exclusively for Australian qualified players.

"With three home games and one in Sydney and with the importance of quality slow bowling highlighted at the recent World Twenty20, we believe this gives our playing group a massive boost in their quest to qualify for the Champions League," Cox added.

Mendis thus joined compatriot Lasith Malinga (Tasmania), West Indian duo of Dwayne Bravo (Victoria) and Chris Gayle (Western Australia) and Pakistani Shahid Afridi (New South Wales) who signed to play in the tournament.

Mendis, who represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, will arrive in Adelaide in time to play Redbacks' first Twenty20 Big Bash match and will remain with the side for the full Big Bash season.