Sri Lanka seamer Suranga Lakmal retires to join Derbyshire for two-year County stint

Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal will retire from international cricket afterSri Lanka’s tour of India ends next month to join the English county club Derbyshire.
The 34-year-old fast bowler has claimed 168 wickets in a 68-Test career.
Lakmal’s best moments have come in the longer formats, but he also has a very strong record in the white ball game, with 235 List A wickets at an average of 28.56, 109 of which came in One-Day Internationals for Sri Lanka.
He has also captained Sri Lanka in five Test matches.
India hit by four COVID-19 positives ahead of West Indies series
Derbyshire County Cricket Club said they signed up Lakmal on a two-year contract, where he will join former Sri Lanka head coach Mickey Arthur.
“Really happy with this signing… (he) is a top bowler and will assist with the development of our young quicks,” Arthur said on Twitter.
“Suranga is among Sri Lanka’s all-time greats with the ball and it’s brilliant to be able to bring him to Derbyshire for the next two seasons,” Arthur added in a statement on cricket.derbyshireccc.com.
“We have big ambitions for the project at Derbyshire, and Suranga’s decision to retire from international cricket and commit to the club shows he’s as excited about those plans as the other players and coaches.
“He knows my standards and can set the example for our young players on and off the field, and to add his quality to our ranks gives us a whole new dimension with the ball.”
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that Lakmal had made the decision following consultation with the governig body.
Sri Lankan officials said Lakmal, who made his Test debut in 2010, will be available for selection for the two Tests in India.
The first match is scheduled to begin on February 25.
Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva said he looked forward to seeing Lakmal perform in India, “if the selectors consider him for the tour”.
Lakmal added: “Experiencing county cricket is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and the chance to work with Mickey again was something I couldn’t turn down.
“I’ve loved every second of my international career, and I would like to thank Sri Lanka for giving me the opportunity to live my dream. Hopefully I can bring that experience into this new challenge, to help the young bowlers, who are already making an impact at Derbyshire.”
Latest
-
England
Marcus Trescothick says Andrew Flintoff ‘sprinkling gold-dust’ on England team
Flintoff was initially enlisted for four ODIs against New Zealand but has hung around for the Ireland series.
-
England
Axed Jason Roy urged to remain positive with World Cup role still a possibility
The big-hitting opener was replaced by Harry Brook in England’s squad for the World Cup.
-
England
ECB unable to commit to ICEC report’s equal pay targets for men and women
The ICEC report said women were treated as “second class citizens” in cricket.
-
England
ECB set to publish response to damning report on discrimination in cricket
Richard Thompson, chair of the ECB, unreservedly apologised when the ICEC’s findings were published in June.
-
England
Sam Hain reveals sleepless night before impressive England debut
The Warwickshire batter scored 89 to set up a win over Ireland in the second ODI.
-
England
Will Jacks pleased to take his chance to impress in England success
The batter made a dazzling 94 off 88 balls in the one-day international win over Ireland at Trent Bridge.
-
England
Sam Hain and Will Jacks star as new-look England beat Ireland at Trent Bridge
Teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed collected four for 54 as Ireland were all out for 286.
-
England
Will Jacks and Sam Hain shine as England post 334 against Ireland
Jacks made 94 off 88 balls while Hain hit 89 in the second one-day international.
-
County Cricket
Surrey close on title as rivals Essex beaten by Liam Dawson-inspired Hampshire
The reigning champions are 20 points clear of second-placed Essex heading into the final round of fixtures.
-
England
Ben Duckett at peace with World Cup omission and looking forward to India series
The batter has switched focus to his next duel.