Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lankan captain, has been roped in by Somerset and will play 12 out of 14 matches in the next season of the Natwest T20 Blast. The 38-year-old is the highest run-getter in the history of the World T20 and was a part of the Sri Lankan side that lifted the World T20 title in 2014.
Jayawardene joins West Indies' stalwart, Chris Gayle, who re-signed a six-month contract with the historic County in January this year. Somerset also have signed the experienced all-rounder Yasir Arafat to bolster their new ball attack.
"When a player of his experience and class becomes available, you have to snap them up," Matt Maynard, the director of Somerset's cricket, was quoted as saying by BBC Sport on Thursday (March 31). "Jayawardene is a batsman of undoubted class who scores his runs all around the wicket. He is a true professional and will have a major influence both on and off the field for us," he added.
Commenting on playing for Somerset, Jayawardene said that he was eager to make an impact for the club. "The club has a tradition of successful overseas players and I will be doing my best to join that illustrious list."
Post his international retirement, Jayawardene has been actively involved in the domestic T20 circuit. Playing for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League 2015-16 season, he scored 191 runs in seven innings including two half centuries. The elegant right-hander also amassed 299 runs at 49.83 in the first season of the Masters Champions League.
Besides playing, Jayawardene also took up a batting consultant role with the England national team ahead of their World T20 campaign.
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