Jayasuriya joins Lancashire

Sanath Jayasuriya has signed a short-term contract with Lancashire as cover for the absence of Muttiah Muralitharan, who will be involved in a three-match Test series against Bangladesh.

Jayasuriya will play in Lancashire Twenty20 Cup group matches and will be available to play until Muralitharan returns on July 20.

"I'm extremely happy to have been called to participate in the forthcoming season," Jayasuriya said from his Colombo home. "It's a privilege after having played almost two decades of cricket all around the world and I look forward very much to be playing for Lancashire."

"Sanath and Twenty20 cricket is an exciting prospect," Mike Watkinson, the county's cricket manager, said. "He has a tremendous record in one-day cricket and we are delighted he will be joining us."