DERBY (England), Oct 24: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has signed for English county Derbyshire for the first half of next season.

Jayawardene will move to Derby in April and stay until the middle of July.

The 30-year-old, who is preparing Sri Lanka for a Test tour of Australia before England’s visit in December, is one of the world’s best batsmen, with a Test average of 49.84.

Derbyshire’s head of cricket John Morris expects Jayawardene to provide the impetus needed to help the team back in first division of the County Championship.

Derbyshire’s head of cricket John Morris said he was delighted that Jayawardene had signed.

“I knew that he was the right player after I had spoken to him and I could tell that he has the desire to play county cricket and contribute both experience and flair to Derbyshire’s batting line-up,” said Morris.

Jayawardene, 30, will turn out for the county from the end of April to mid-July before returning home for Sri Lanka’s Test commitments, the website said.

“Signing such a world-class player and current international captain is a massive boost for the club ahead of the 2008 season,” Derbyshire chairman Don Amott said.—AFP