Jayasuriya has Twenty20 vision

Twenty20 / Editor / 13 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Lancashire's Twenty20 Cup chances have been boosted with the signing of big-hitting Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya, who has penned a month-long deal at Old Trafford.

The 37-year-old will join the north-west outfit on June 19 as overseas cover for compatriot Muttiah Muralitharan, who is on international duty in a three-Test series against Bangladesh.

Former skipper Jayasuriya is being rested for the series against the Test minnows, but will spearhead Lancashire's charge for Twenty20 glory when they kick off their campaign in the shortest version of the game against Durham on Friday, June 22.

The 1996 World Cup winner has a superb record in all forms of the game but his 'crash-bang' tactics are more suited to limited-overs cricket, and Twenty20 in particular, and Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson was delighted to have secured the services of such an experienced one-day campaigner.

"Sanath and Twenty20 Cricket is an exciting prospect," he said. "He has a tremendous record in one-day cricket and we are delighted he will be joining us."

The diminutive left-hander is also an asset in the bowling department, with his left-arm spin causing top batsmen problems around the world over the past 18 years, and Lancashire were last matched at 9.6 to lift the trophy this summer.

Somerset, who are likely to have forgotten England man Marcus Trescothick at the top of their order, are on offer as the 8.6 favourites, with Essex available at 9.2 and Surrey backable at 10.