Jayawardene eyes county deal

Mahela Jayawardene

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has confirmed he intends to link up with Derbyshire next season.

Derbyshire signed Leicestershire left-hander John Sadler and left-arm spinner Nayan Doshi on Monday and are now believed to be in negotiations with right-hander Jayawardene, 30, to join them as their overseas player for the first three months of next season.

Head of cricket John Morris is looking to add to his squad after 12 players left the County Ground at the end of last season.

“Negotiations are on,” said Jayawardene. “My first priority obviously is my country. But when I’m free from International commitments I would love to play county cricket.”