Malinga Bandara was our number one target, says Kent coach Paul Farbrace
Kent say Sri Lankan Malinga Bandara
was always the county’s No.1 target in their quest to sign a second
overseas player this summer.
The 30-year-old leg spinner arrives at Canterbury to play in the
second half of the season and will replace Australian paceman
Stuart Clark.
It will be his second spell in
English first class cricket having played half a season for
Gloucestershire in 2005, when he took 45 wickets.
Team director Paul Farbrace said:
"He was always our 100 per cent first choice and has been ready to
sign since the end of November but has been patient and understood
our situation.
"Bandara is a good solid performer,
bats down the order, with a brilliant arm. He should have played
more Test cricket, but unfortunately for him Ajantha Mendis came on
the scene from nowhere and had a wonderful 12 months which set him
back."
Experience and availability were
two key factors in signing Bandara and Australian fast bowler
Stuart Clark, and Farbrace added: "We know both of them well and
what we are getting. They will both be able to focus and
concentrate on playing for Kent."
The county have ended their plans
to recruit at least one of two fast bowling targets, Farbrace
confirming that one of them is no longer available, while interest
in the other has "gone cold."
Farbrace has invited three other
seamers to join in training, former Gloucestershire man Will Rudge,
David Burton who has played for Middlesex and Gloucestershire, and
Jahid Ahmed released by Essex at the end of last season.
Thursday, February 04 2010