Dwayne Bravo will play in this season's Twenty20 Big Bash for Victoria after agreeing to a contract with the Bushrangers.

The Bushrangers, known for their policy of not contracting international players, have decided to sign Bravo on a season-long deal, but will only play him in the Twenty20 series as it fits between his commitments for West Indies.

"Dwayne is a proven performer in all forms of the game - particularly in Twenty20 cricket - and in addition to strengthening the team, we're confident he'll prove a big drawcard," Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide said.

"Cricket Australia has provided strong encouragement and support for states to recruit international players and there's little doubt the addition of cricketers like Dwayne will make the Big Bash an even bigger bash."

The 25-year-old is renowned as one of the West Indies' most exciting young players. In 40 matches for the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago and the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, he has averaged 28.65 with the bat at a strike-rate of 127.78, and has a bowling average of 24.21.

Bushrangers coach Greg Shipperd said the move was as strategic as it was promotional, with all-rounder Andrew McDonald expected to be involved with the Australia Test team when the Twenty20 Big Bash is on next January.

"I have an optimistic view that Andrew McDonald will be involved with the Test series against Pakistan," he said.

"It's a strategic cover, if you like, that Bravo, an all-rounder, replaces and all-rounder in McDonald. We think strategically it's a wise move in terms of our interests being successful again in that competition."

Dodemaide said the addition of Bravo would give an opportunity for the Bushrangers' younger players to learn from and play with another international class player.

"We are very keen for our younger players to be exposed to the best players going around," he added.

"Dwayne is a very much a proven performer in the Twenty20 format of the game and we're excited about what the young players can learn."

The Bushrangers also announced that Shipperd had agreed to a two-year contract extension, extending his tenure as head coach until 2011-12.