Mahela Jayawardene averaged 34.12 in the NatWest Blast for Sussex in 2015 © Getty Images
Somerset will feature the two highest run-scores in the history of World T20 cricket in their NatWest Blast campaign this season following the signing of Mahela Jayawardene.
Jayawardene, a key member of the Sri Lanka team that won the 2014 World T20, is the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament and will join forces at Taunton with Chris Gayle, the second highest run-scorer in World T20 history, having signed to play 12 of the 14 group games in the NatWest Blast.
“Mahela is a batsman of undoubted class who scores his runs all around the wicket,” Somerset’s Director of Cricket, Matt Maynard, said. “When a player of his experience and class becomes available, you have to snap them up.
“He is an experienced international captain and the squad will certainly benefit from having him around the dressing room. He is a true professional and will have a major influence both on and off the field for us during the NatWest T20 Blast campaign.”
Jayawardene is a vastly experienced player. As well as his illustrious international career, he has enjoyed spells in the IPL, BBL and represented Sussex in the NatWest Blast in 2015. He has also had a couple of brief spells on the England coaching staff in a consultancy role.
Somerset appear to value experience highly. As well as 38-year-old Jayawardene and 36-year-old Gayle, they have recruited 38-year-old Chris Rogers to captain their Championship side, the 34-year-old Yasir Arafat to boost their white-ball bowling and retain the 40-year-old Marcus Trescothick as a mainstay of their top-order batting.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo