Surrey sign Dilshan to replace Amla

Cricket365
June 21, 2014

Surrey have bagged another high-profile international signing by bringing Sri Lanka veteran Tillakaratne Dilshan to the club, replacing new South Africa Test skipper Hashim Amla, who had in turn replaced Graeme Smith.

Dilshan, who is retired from Test cricket, will be with Surrey till the middle of August, with a brief break to go home and face the Proteas in an ODI series. He will make his debut on 27 July against Hampshire in the T20 Blast.

Dilshan said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for me to play for Surrey CCC. They are one of the most historic clubs in the world and I very much hope to make a big impact whilst there.

"I've enjoyed playing at the Kia Oval in the past and look forward to returning there with Surrey."

Alec Stewart, Surrey Director of Cricket, added: "With the very crowded International fixture list, it's becoming increasingly difficult to sign a high class overseas cricketer to play in England.

"Therefore, we are very pleased to have been able to secure the services of a player of the calibre of Dilshan. There is a great deal of limited overs cricket to be played in July and August and it is a big boost to be able to draw on someone with his huge experience and skills."

Smith was originally meant to be the permanent overseas signing after retiring from international cricket, but a knee fracture ended that. He was then replaced by Amla for a month, but he now has international duties to deal with.