The 29-year-old right arm fast bowler – a team mate of Gloucestershire’s Michael Klinger at Perth Scorchers – was a key part of their victorious Big Bash League 4 campaign.
Tye took 14 wickets at an average of 18.3 and a strike rate of 16, prompting Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch to describe him as the “find of the tournament” on Twitter.
To watch Tye in action visit http://sproutvideo.com/videos/189bdab11c1de6c590
Andrew said: “I am delighted to have signed for Gloucestershire Cricket for the NatWest T20 Blast. I have heard great things about the club from many sources, including my Perth Scorchers team mate, Michael Klinger. I look forward to linking up with Maxy (Michael Klinger), Richard Dawson and the rest of my team mates in 2016.”
A specialist death bowler and clean-hitting lower order batsman, Tye’s form in 2014/15 saw him secure an IPL contract with the Chennai Super Kings.
Despite hailing from Perth, Tye will be no stranger to English conditions, having played Second XI cricket for Somerset, Durham and Northants.
He will be available for the duration of Gloucestershire’s NatWest Blast which kicks off under floodlights against Sussex Sharks at the Bristol County Ground on Friday May 20.
Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said: “I saw him last year in the Big Bash where he was very impressive in helping Perth Scorchers win the competition.
“We are looking to make improvements in T20 cricket this year and get through the group stages. Andrew will help us achieve that. He is a highly skilled bowler who will significantly add to our T20 cricket.”
A late bloomer, Tye only made his professional debut in 2013 at the age of 26.
His breakthrough came in the same season where his 13 dismissals in five games for Western Australia in the 2013/14 Ryobi One-Day Cup saw him finish as the tournament’s second leading wicket-taker.
He has gone on to cement his place in the team in all three formats of the game.
And his performances have drawn praise from his Western Australia/Perth Scorchers coach – former Australia opening batsman Justin Langer.
He said: “He showed during the Ryobi Cup that he possesses good skill and has plenty of potential. He has a good slower ball, is a good athlete and is the all-round package for Twenty20 cricket.”
