Sangakkara signs two-year deal with Surrey
Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara has agreed to join English County side Surrey on a two-year contract when the English cricket season resumes.
Sangakkara, who will end his ODI career after the upcoming World Cup, is currently ranked as the number one batsman in the world in Test cricket.
He will join up at Surrey with coach Graham Ford, who is a former Sri Lankan coach and now in charge at the Oval.
Alec Stewart, the Surrey director of cricket, said: "We're delighted that Kumar has agreed to join us. He is the number one Test batsman in the world but it's the special character that he has which is as important to us.
"He is a five-star player and five-star person and that is important because he will be working with our young homegrown players as they become serious cricketers at this level.
"He has worked a lot with our coach Graham Ford, when he was in charge of Sri Lanka, and we are both very happy to reach this stage."
It is not yet clear, at this stage, exactly how much cricket Sangakkara will be playing in the County season. While he has announced when he will be retiring from the ODI's, he might still decide to prolong his Test career.
Latest
-
NewsEngland set 296 for series sweep as Jack Leach claims first 10-wicket Test haul
Leach finished with second-innings figures of five for 66 as New Zealand were bowled out for 326.
-
EnglandEngland thwarted by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell again at Headingley
England drew a blank over the course of two difficult hours on Sunday.
-
NewsBen Foakes replaced by Sam Billings at Headingley after positive Covid-19 test
Foakes did not take the field on the third afternoon against New Zealand after complaining of back pain.
-
EnglandJamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster England Test debut
The pace bowler fell three runs short of a remarkable century at Headingley.
-
EnglandEngland have Headingley buzzing again as late burst rocks New Zealand
The tourists will resume on Sunday 137 runs ahead with five wickets down.
-
EnglandJamie Overton falls just short of debut century for England in tight third Test
Overton was caught behind for 97 in the morning session.
-
EnglandAzeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
Rafiq enjoyed Saturday’s action from a balcony at the Pavilion End
-
EnglandJamie Overton falls just short of debut Test century as England take narrow lead
Newcomer Overton was caught behind for 97.
-
EnglandGeorge Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.