HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 02: Alex Hales of the Hurricanes bats during the Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Brisbane Heat at Blundstone Arena on January 2, 2015 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Alex Hales will join South African all-rounder Chris Morris to spearhead Sydney Thunder's KFC Big Bash League campaign.

The Thunder will be Hales's fourth stint in the BBL, as he previously played for Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes.

"I really can't wait to return to the Big Bash," he told cricket.com.au. 

"It's such a hugely respected tournament around the world."

Hales is also the only English batsman to have scored a T20 international century.

"The standard of cricket is amazing and any chance you get to visit Australia and play over there is amazing, so I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

Thunder coach Shane Bond says bringing in Hales will fill the void for the outgoing Jos Buttler as he will be touring South Africa as a part of the English team.

"We're obviously disappointed to lose Jos because he's brilliant, but to be able to bring in someone of Alex's quality is huge for us," Bond said.

The Thunder will play Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on December 17 to open their campaign.