Derbyshire sign up Jayawardene

Derbyshire have signed Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, for the first half of the 2008 season. Jayawardene will arrive towards the end of April and stay until the middle of July after which he can be replaced by another overseas player.

Jayawardene is the latest in a string of new signings at Derbyshire which include Rikki Clarke, as captain, and West Indian batsman Wavell Hinds as a Kolpak player. Leicestershire batsman John Sadler and former Surrey spinner Nayan Doshi were the first new arrivals.

"I knew he was the right player after I spoke to him," said head of cricket John Morris. "And I could tell that he has the desire to play county cricket and contribute both experience and flair to Derbyshire's batting line-up.

"With everything that has happened over the last three or four weeks, in terms of players coming to the club, it is even more exciting to think that we have been able to attract a current international captain."