News

Jayasuriya signs for Somerset

Sanath Jayasuriya has signed a short-term contract to play for Somerset, as a replacement for Australia's captain, Ricky Ponting, who was unable to confirm his availability

Cricinfo staff
03-Mar-2005


Sanath Jayasuriya finally gets a county contract © Getty Images
Sanath Jayasuriya has signed a short-term contract to play for Somerset, as a replacement for Australia's captain, Ricky Ponting, who was unable to confirm his availability. Jayasuriya, now 35, was reported to have been approached by Scotland but apparently turned down the offer.
"This is a very exciting short-term signing," said Peter Anderson, Somerset's chief executive. "His availability has to be ratified by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board but we are not anticipating any problems."
Jayasuriya is expected to depart for Somerset straight after Sri Lanka's postponed tour of New Zealand which finishes in mid-April. He will be available for five Frizzell Championship fixtures, four Totesport league matches and the early rounds of the C&G Cup, and is expected to make his debut against Yorkshire at Headingley on April 20.
His contract runs only until the end of May, when South Africa's Graeme Smith takes over after the completion of his international commitments. Albie Morkel, Somerset's other prospective South African signing, has been replaced by Nixon McLean because of a long-standing ankle problem. In addition, it has been agreed with the ECB that Marcus Trescothick will be available for the opening match of the season.
It will be Jayasuriya's first stint with an English county despite a long 15-year career and he'll be joined by Upul Chandana (Gloucestershire), Chaminda Vaas (Worcestershire) and Muttiah Muralitharan (Lancashire), who hopes to be fully fit in time for the season. During his time in England, he will be helping to raise funds for the Sri Lankan TWINS Tsunami Schools Project, of which he is Patron.
A small gap in Sri Lanka's international calendar has provided the opportunity for the largest-ever influx of Sri Lankan players into County Cricket. The demand has largely been for bowlers but frontline batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene are also on the lookout for club or county contracts.