Jayawardene joins Adelaide Strikers in BBL

Australia

The Adelaide Strikers have signed Sri Lanka batting legend Mahela Jayawardene for this season's Big Bash League (BBL)as a replacement for West Indian Kieron Pollard, who is injured.

The 38 year-old Jayawardene, who is currently playing for the Central Districts in New Zealand's domestic T20 competition, has played more than 600 international games for his country and is regarded as a modern day great.

Striker coach Jason Gillespie is understandably delighted that they have sign the right-handed batsman, who joins England spinner Adil Rashid as the second overseas player in the squad.

Gillespie said: "Mahela is a champion of the game and is without a doubt one of the greatest batsman to play cricket in the modern era.

"Having played against him myself I'm fully aware of the type of damage he can do, so it'll be exciting to have him on our side this time.

"Losing Pollard was disappointing because he definitely provided our team with extra spark, but Mahela has been in really good form in New Zealand and we're confident we've found a very capable replacement.

"He's been in the game for a long time and I think the younger batters in the group will definitely learn a lot having both Mahela and Brad Hodge in the squad."

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