The move was designed to reinvigorate the sport, Crocker said.
``I believe the domestic game here has lost a bit of its gloss and we are looking to return the game to its rightful place,'' he said.
Crocker said Auckland signed 30-year-old de Silva, star of this year's World Cup final when his unbeaten century allowed Sri Lanka to edge out Australia, as part of a new marketing initiative.
``We are looking to modernise our image in terms of how we dress, the name of our team and attractions on the playing front. Aravinda is a marketing attraction.''
The ACA plans to unveil a new Shell Cup one-day playing strip and a new team name within a month.
De Silva has scored more than 3,000 test runs for Sri Lanka, with a personal best of 267 scored against New Zealand in Wellington in 1991.
Crocker said the ACA had tried to secure de Silva's services for both the Shell Cup and Shell Trophy four-day competitions, but he was available only for Shell Cup matches.
The ACA had unsuccessfully sought to contract former Australian batsman Dean Jones for the 1996-97 season, and Crocker said they had lost little in securing de Silva.
``We wanted someone who fitted into the 'great' category, and Aravinda is unquestionably one of the finest players on the circuit today.
``But we just didn't want anyone. We wanted someone with the right attitude to the game and to people in general. We've got what we wanted with Aravinda.''
De Silva will make his debut for Auckland on December 6.