Oakley will join Dean at the Strikers after impressing Berry during the past couple of seasons with his ability as a death bowler at the end of the innings.

''We think we've got the two best Canberra players in Jono Dean and Ben Oakley,'' Berry said. ''The bottom line is we were looking for a left-arm bowler who we think can do a job for us at the end of the innings. Ben's skills are suited to Twenty20 cricket because he's got some pace, swings the new ball and is a good death bowler, so we're quite excited to have him.''

Oakley has been one of the leading bowlers in the ACT first-grade competition for several seasons.

The 31-year-old captained Wests/UC to last year's two-day title and is in action for the Comets in their Futures League match with Tasmania in Hobart.

Dean has also waited patiently for his chance on the national stage, the 29-year-old rising to prominence with a half-century for the PM's XI in this year's one-dayer against the West Indies.

He is coming off an unbeaten double-century for Queanbeyan in the opening round of the two-day competition last weekend.

Berry believes both players are capable of making an impact for the Strikers. ''In Jono Dean we've got an explosive batsman at the top, and Ben Oakley we think we've got bowler who, while he hasn't had the exposure, if he moved away from Canberra that he's good enough to play state cricket,'' Berry said Oakley wouldn't be just be a number. ''I expect him to play for us in the tournament. I really rate him, I have for a couple years, so here's his opportunity,'' he said. ''I'd like to think Canberra's new team is the Adelaide Strikers.''

Oakley showed he is also a more than handy lower-order batsmen, smashing an unbeaten 55 from 50 balls to push the Comets to a total of 301 against Tasmania in the opening day of their four-day game on Monday. Coming in at No.10, he put on an invaluable 82 runs with Greg West (25) for the final wicket after debutant Vele Dukoski had top-scored with 56. Tasmania will resume on Tuesday on 0-9.