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Mahela Jayawardene to join Lancashire Lightning for NatWest T20 Blast as non-overseas player

Abdullah719

T20I Captain
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Runs
44,825
Lancashire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce the signing of Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene for this year’s NatWest T20 Blast as a non-overseas player.

Jayawardene is available for the whole competition, including the knockout stages, and will join up with the squad in July.

He has played in 149 Tests, scoring nearly 12,000 runs at an average of just below 50, whilst he has made 448 ODI appearances as well as 55 IT20 matches. In all white-ball cricket, the Sri Lankan has over 14,000 runs and is widely recognised as one of the great batsman of all-time.

After retiring from international cricket in 2015, Jayawardene has featured in T20 leagues around the world as a player and mentor. He has previously played in the NatWest T20 Blast with Sussex and Somerset, and is currently Head Coach of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

Glen Chapple said, “Mahela is a truly world class batsman who scores runs all around the wicket. He's a true competitor and a winner too, and I’m thrilled to be able to bring him into our squad for the NatWest T20 Blast later this summer.

“He is a legend of the game and is one of the greatest batsman to have played cricket in the modern era. It will be a fantastic opportunity for our young players to learn off him and for our fans to watch one of the game’s greats.” added Chapple, whose team have their first home NatWest T20 Blast fixture against Leicestershire Foxes at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday 9th July.

Jayawardene commented, “I’m very excited about joining Lancashire Lightning for the NatWest T20 Blast this summer. Lancashire is a huge county with a fine history in the game. There is a young group of players at the Club and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to working with them and to be part of the T20 campaign this summer.

“I haven’t won the NatWest T20 Blast in my career and it’s a trophy I’d love to experience success in this summer with Lancashire Lightning.”
 
His wife is Danish so he got a visa that way.
 
Considering he's Sri Lankan I thought for his second Danish was his wife's name and was wondering what the hell that had to do with anything....

Quick google search shows she was only born there, and was friends with Mahela's friend, meaning she hasn't been living in Denmark in years. It took them this long to find out this loophole. Now tell me why the heck does his wife being a Denmark citizen has anything to do with County deal ? :Danish. What does this has to do with England ? Hopefully [MENTION=132270]SL_Fan[/MENTION] answers this questions properly this time and doesn't dodge like every time I ask him about SLCB receiving same ICC funding of $132 Million as CA.
 
[MENTION=143248]Specialisttailender[/MENTION] your guess would be as good as mine champ. I don’t even know who he’s married to tbh digging into personal lives of players is not exactly my thing. But according to a reliable source tho “Jayawardene qualifies by virtue of his Danish wife, Christina” so whatever that means :))

As for the SLC CA stuff not really sure what you’re after mate. CA gave a thumbs up for the new financial model so obviously they must have been fine with it. Besides before the Big 3 ambush in 2014 all ten full members actually used to receive the same share of 7.5%. Also should mention that Aus of course already hosted the 2015 WC plus are set to host World T20 in 2020 as well. So all in all CA should end up receiving at least $230 mil this cycle when you add the hosting fees into the mix.
 
Mahela Jayawardene pulls out of Lancashire stint

Lancashire CCC can confirm that Mahela Jayawardene will not play for the Club in this year’s NatWest T20 Blast campaign due to personal reasons.

The former Sri Lanka Captain and current Mumbai Indians Head Coach was set to join up with the squad later this month ahead of the opening game against Durham Jets on Friday 7th July.

Head Coach Glen Chapple said, “It’s disappointing that Mahela won’t be joining us for the upcoming T20 campaign."

“We are currently reviewing and reassessing all options from a player perspective ahead of the NatWest T20 Blast campaign in light of this news.”

Jayawardene added, “I am very disappointed to be unable to join Lancashire Lightning in the upcoming NatWest T20 Blast as planned.

“I would like to wish the Club a successful campaign this year.”
 
Hope they sign Misbah as a replacement. He's found tremendous success in England in the past year and he needs practice and form before taking the Islamabad campaign forward.
 
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