Dilshan swings into Sussex

Tillakaratne Dilshan played a succession of astonishing innings in the World Twenty20, peaking with 96 against West Indies

Sussex have pulled off a major coup by signing Sri Lanka batting star Tillakaratne Dilshan as an overseas player for the 2010 Friends Provident t20.

Dilshan, 33, has emerged as one of the finest limited-overs players in world cricket over the past two years, since being asked to open the batting for Sri Lanka in all forms of cricket.

The 2009 Twenty20 Cup champions expect him to be available at the start of the campaign in early June, subject to international commitments. Sri Lanka are scheduled to host India and New Zealand in one-day internationals in July.

The Sharks already have two overseas all-rounders registered for the coming season - Pakistan’s Yasir Arafat, and Dwayne Smith of West Indies, who has been signed specifically for the Friends Provident t20.

Counties are permitted to play two overseas players in any Twenty20 match this year.

Mark Robinson, Sussex professional cricket manager, said: “The recruitment of overseas players is becoming more complex as the international fixture list grows, including the possibility of staging major matches at neutral venues such as the UAE and USA.

“With Yasir Arafat likely to have Pakistan commitments and Dwayne Smith with the West Indies, the signing of one of the world's leading batsman gives us some exciting options.

“We want our main players to have genuine match-winning ability and we believe we have that with Dilshan, Yasir and Dwayne.

“With that bit of luck always required, I feel our 2010 squad can emulate our 2009 t20 success.”

After a career languishing in the middle-order, Dilshan was bumped up to open in a one-day series in Pakistan in 2009. He has since struck eight Test and ODI hundreds.

Dilshan invented a shot of his own in the first Indian Premier League season, an astonishing flick-shot over his head which became known as ‘the Dilscoop’.

He employed his patented shot to great success in last summer’s World Twenty20 in England - amassing 317 runs at an average of 52, winning him player of the tournament and seeing Sri Lanka through to the final at Lord’s.

A jack of all trades, Dilshan has also kept wicket in Test matches and bowls serviceable off-spin. He is a master fielder in the ring or close to the bat.