DAVID WILLEY will face his new Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie in this winter’s Australian Big Bash Twenty20 League after signing an overseas deal to play for the Perth Scorchers.

The White Rose all-rounder, who has joined the county from Northamptonshire ahead of next season, has been snapped up by Justin Langer and the reigning champions.

Willey, 25, has been given permission by the ECB to play in the full competition for just over a month from December 21 to further his development.

He has therefore been pulled out of the England Lions T20 series against Pakistan A in the UAE just before Christmas and their one-day series against the same opponents in the New Year.

Gillespie will be coaching rivals Adelaide Strikers in the same competition, with the pair meeting for Willey’s debut at the WACA Ground four days before Christmas.

“This is an excellent opportunity for David,” said Andrew Strauss, director of England Cricket.

“It will be the ideal preparation for him leading into the ICC World T20 in India next year, giving him the chance to focus on the T20 format for an extended period of time - and improve his skills accordingly."

Perth coach Langer said: “David Willey is an up-and-coming, hungry, hard-working young player who will hopefully provide some power hitting in the middle order.

“He offers left-arm swing bowling, and has showed how well he can do that against the Australians in the one-dayers a few months ago. He’s also a gun fielder, and is renowned for his work ethic and character. It’s a really good package.”

Willey has broken through into England’s one-day and T20 teams during the last six months, and is one of the country’s most explosive and exciting talents.

The left-hander has played eight times in T20 and one-day internationals, and has played in two 20-over domestic finals for Northants, winning one in 2012 and losing the other back in August.

While Yorkshire hope Willey will improve their fortunes with the white ball, the man himself is targeting an improvement in his four-day cricket as he bids to break through to the Test team.