Fernando joins Worcestershire

Dilhara Fernando will replace Imran Arif for the last three weeks of the campaign

Worcestershire have signed Sri Lanka seamer Dilhara Fernando as a replacement overseas player for the remainder of the season.

Fernando will fill in for Pakistan-born paceman Imran Arif and provide cover for injured seam-bowling trio Matt Mason, Kabir Ali and Simon Jones.

The 29-year-old is due to fly to the UK tomorrow evening and is expected to be available for the NatWest Pro40 match against Hampshire the following day, having been cleared by the Sri Lankan board to play for this period.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "With the loss of Simon Jones, Kabir Ali and Matt Mason I have been looking for a quality overseas replacement as we want to finish the season on a high.

“It does mean we have to de-register Imran Arif, who has done a wonderful job for us. Hopefully he will be back with us next season as a qualified player.

“The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has been very helpful as they want Dilhara to play some cricket rather than rest. It has been a rush to get the paperwork in place but we are just about there."