Rawtenstall sign Sri Lankan leggie by Nigel Stockley

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Player:

HMCM Bandara

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DateLine: 4th March 2011

 

Rawtenstall have signed Sri Lankan leg spinner Malinga Bandara as their new professional. The club moved quickly to snap up the 31 year-old after losing Naved Arif to Sussex.

 

Skipper Vinny Hanson said: "We are delighted to have secured someone of Malinga's undoubted quality especially after losing Nav at such short notice. He has the ability to make a great impact on the league not just with the ball but with the bat as well."

 

Bandara played the last of his eight Test matches in 2006 after making his debut in 1998 against New Zealand. In First-class matches, Bandara has taken 437 wickets at 25.4 since making his debut in 1996. He has also scored 3481 runs at 20.2 in 154 games with one century and 14 half centuries to his name.

 

The Sri Lankan has plenty of experience in England having played for Gloucestershire in 2005 and Kent last season. He has also played for Monton and Weaste in the Central lancashire League two seasons ago along with several seasons in the Surrey Premier League.

 

Born Herath Mudiyanselage Charitha Malinga Bandara, the leg spinner will be Rawtenstall's first ever Sri Lankan professional.

 

All the Lancashire League clubs have now signed up professionals with the season due to start seven weeks on Sunday.