LANCS SIGN SRI LANKAN LEGEND MAHELA

GLEN Chapple has hailed new Lancashire signing Mahela Jayawardene ‘one of the greatest batsmen to have played cricket in the modern era’.

The Sri Lankan legend will join the Red Rose for this season’s NatWest T20 Blast.

The 39-year-old (pictured) is available for the whole competition, and because his wife, Christina, is Danish, he joins on a spousal visa meaning he isn’t considered an overseas player.

“Mahela is a truly worldclass batsman who scores runs all around the wicket,” said Lancashire head coach Chapple. “He’s a true competitor and a winner too. He is a legend of the game and is one of the greatest batsmen to have played cricket in the modern era.”

Jayawardene, who is currently coaching the top-ofthe-table Mumabi Indians in the IPL, has a vast amount of experience having played in the Indian Premier League, Australia’s Big Bash, the Pakistan Super League, the Caribbean Premier League and spent the winter helping Central Districts to the final of New Zealand’s Super Smash.

He has won the World T20 with Sri Lanka in 2014, and played in both the 2009 and 2012 finals.

But he wants to add to his silverware with Lancashire.

“I haven’t won the NatWest T20 Blast in my career and it’s a trophy I’d love to experience success in this summer with Lancashire Lightning,” said Jayawardene. “I’m very excited about joining Lancashire. It is a huge county with a fine history in the game.”