SURREY have reacted to the withdrawal of Shaun Tait from their Twenty20 squad by snapping up the most successful bowler in the history shortest form of the game.

The colourful Australian quick Dirk Nannes has taken more wickets in Twenty20 than any other player and will spearhead the Lions attack when the competition begins at the Oval tonight.

Nannes, 35, has taken 134 wickets in all T20 cricket, starring in tournaments across the world for Australia, the Netherlands and a host of domestic sides.

A cult figure with fans all over the globe, his unique brand of left arm pace bowling has proved a regular match winning asset in limited overs cricket.

The Victorian, now a resident in the UK, replaces Tait as Surrey's second overseas player in this year's tournament. The other slot is taken by Pakistani all-rounder Yasir Arafat, who also has over 100 career T20 wickets to his name.

Nannes will make his Surrey Lions debut when the Friends Life t20 season gets underway at the Oval at 6.30pm tonight against the Gloucestershire Gladiators.

"I'm really excited to be playing for a big club like the Surrey Lions at such a historic ground," he said. "I've always enjoyed my time playing in England – and the Friends Life t20 throws up a very different challenge to other competitions around the world.

"I've now moved to the UK on a full time basis and hope this is the first of many years for me in the FLt20."

Surrey manager Chris Adams added: "Signing a player of Dirk Nannes' undoubted skill and ability is a great boost to our Friends Life t20 campaign.

"So far this season we have a 100 per cent record in One Day cricket and securing the leading wicket taker in the history of this format – at such short notice – will give us a great chance in this competition."