“Mahela is a champion of the game”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Legendary Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene has signed with the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Jayawardene was signed as a replacement for West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard, who was ruled out of the tournament after injuring his knee while playing for the Cape Cobras in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge in South Africa.

“Mahela is a champion of the game and is without a doubt one of the greatest batsman to play cricket in the modern era,” Strikers head coach Jason Gillespie said. “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.”

Jayawardene recently represented Central Districts in New Zealand’s Georgie Pie Super Smash and recorded scores of 76, 97, 23 and 53 in the four games he played.

“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,” Gillespie said. “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.”