Fresh off his maiden Australia A call-up, NSW quick Liam Hatcher has penned a two-year deal with former club the Sydney Thunder ahead of the 13th edition of the Big Bash League.

The 26-year-old returns home to Sydney after a three-year stint with the Melbourne Stars, who have not qualified for the final series since 2020.

Hatcher was a member of Thunder’s squad for four seasons from 2016-2020, but is yet to make his Big Bash debut for the men in lime green.

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“It’s good to be home back in New South Wales, playing with the guys I play with all year round,” Hatcher said on Friday.

“I felt like I had unfinished business here. I was here a few years ago and never got an opportunity.

“It was an exciting opportunity to come back, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Hatcher, who represented Australia at Under-19 level, effectively replaced New Zealand paceman Trent Boult in the Stars’ starting XI last season, taking 11 wickets in eight BBL appearances.

The right-armer received player of the match honours after his 2-18 from four overs against the Adelaide Strikers at the MCG in January, also snaring a three-wicket haul against the Hobart Hurricanes.

Hatcher was selected for the Cricket Australia XI in a tour match against South Africa last summer, removing Proteas opener Sarel Erwee in the first innings.

He was also the leading wicket-taker for New South Wales in last season’s Marsh Cup campaign, taking 11 wickets at 21.54 in six matches, including a career-best 6-58 against Queensland at the Gabba in February — the best figures for a Blues player in the competition since 2015.

Last week, Hatcher was named in the Australia A one-day squad to face New Zealand A in Queensland next month, putting him one step closer towards higher honours.

“Liam ticked a number of the boxes that we were looking for when recruiting for this season,” Head of Sydney Thunder Andrew Gilchrist said in a statement.

“He’s someone that has been part of the NSW set-up for a number of years and someone that we’re very familiar with.

“Those who have met and worked with Liam know what a quality person he is and what he’s able to bring to our group. As a club we want to bring in good people and Liam is someone that we’re really looking forward to welcoming into Thunder camp this summer.”