Pat Cummins signs to play for Sydney Thunder in the BBL – here’s why the their fans should NOT be excited

Test skipper Pat Cummins has signed a contract with the Sydney Thunder as a supplementary player to Cricket Australia for the remainder of the BBL season, but the veteran is highly unlikely to feature due to his national team commitments.

A week after fellow speedy Mitchell Starc signed a similar deal with the Sydney Sixers, Cummins has signed a deal that will keep him out of the 18-man squad, although he is free to play if he becomes available.

That will be unlikely as Cummins recently confirmed at the SCG that he would skip this year's competition, with the 30-year-old already eyeing the Indian Premier League next year.

Australia's three-Test series against Pakistan ends on January 7 and the first match against the West Indies starts 10 days later.

The Thunder will play matches on January 8, 12, 14 and 17 to conclude the regular season, with the Sydney derby on January 12 being the only realistic one in which it can play.

Fellow Australian speedy Mitchell Starc (pictured left with Cummins) recently signed a similar deal with cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers

Cummins' primary focus is on the Test series against Pakistan this summer, which starts in Perth on December 14

Cummins stated that he is a 'western Sydney boy' at heart and has represented the Thunder on and off since 2014

Fellow international stars David Warner and Steve Smith are also in the mix to play that match at the SCG, although they will need to be monitored given how hectic the last twelve months have been for Australia's best players.

“I'm a Western Sydney guy through and through, so I'm really excited to be part of the team this summer,” Cummins said.

'International duties mean I can't be there as much as I would like, but I would like to have a voice and fully support the boys.'

Cummins was a regular for the Thunder before becoming an international star, and the club have confirmed he will play a prominent role in their off-field campaigns even if he doesn't get the chance to play.

“We are extremely lucky to have Pat on board. He is a true great in the game and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience,” said Sydney Thunder chief Andrew Gilchrist.

“He has had a tremendous impact on the team every year he has been involved and I am sure it will be the same this time from afar.”

Meanwhile, Sydney Thunder take on Brisbane Heat from Manuka Oval in Canberra in their BBL season opener on Tuesday evening from 7.15pm AEDT.