Nottinghamshire sign Asitha Fernando for final weeks of season
Fernando's namesake and national team-mate Vishwa joins Durham
ESPNcricinfo staff
09-Sep-2023
Asitha Fernando has agreed to join Notts • AFP/Getty Images
Asitha Fernando, the Sri Lanka fast bowler, has signed to play for Nottinghamshire in the final three rounds of the County Championship.
Fernando, 26, has taken 35 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 28.97 and is set for his first spell in county cricket, bolstering Notts seam-bowling options for the last few weeks of the season.
"Asitha has already shown his talent on the international stage, and we believe he has the skillset needed to be successful in English conditions," Notts head coach, Peter Moores, said. "We're excited to have him with us, and he will add much needed depth to our bowling resources until the end of the season.
"We've had some misfortune with injuries and we're still in the situation of not having our full complement of seamers available. This has meant greater workloads for a smaller number of bowlers, and Asitha can help ease that pressure over the course of our run-in.
"The whole group recognises the importance of these last three games and the need for everyone to step up, so we can finish the season strongly. Having had a bye in the first round of games, we've had an extended build up to prepare ourselves for the challenge ahead, which we're all looking forward to."
His namesake and national team-mate, Vishwa Fernando, has signed for Durham as they look to wrap up the Division Two title, with Matt Potts and Brydon Carse on England ODI duty during the final weeks of the season.
"I am really looking forward to joining Durham," Fernando said. "I very much excited to play in the County Championship in England. I look forward to seeing everyone soon."
Marcus North, Durham's director of cricket, said: "He is a vastly experienced player who has succeeded in Test and first-class cricket and we look forward to seeing what he can bring to Durham in September."
Elsewhere, Hampshire seamer Scott Currie has joined Leicestershire on loan for their last three games, as the Midlands club continue a surprise push for promotion from Division Two.