Derbyshire sign Sri Lanka ace Tillakartne Dilshan

Derbyshire have signed experienced Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan who will spend two spells with the club during the 2015 season.
The top order batsman will take over the overseas berth from New Zealand international Martin Guptill and be available for up to four NatWest T20 Blast fixtures and two LV= County Championship matches in June, before leaving for the Caribbean Premier League.
Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne DilshanSri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan
Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan

He will return at the beginning of August for the remainder of the season and be available to play in every Derbyshire match in August and September as the county look for a strong finish to the 2015 campaign in all three competitions. 
Dilshan is a vastly experienced international who has competed in 87 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 5,492 runs at an average of 40.98 and a high score of 193.

His ODI record is equally impressive hitting 9,796 runs in 312 matches, at an average of 39.82 and a highest score of 161 not out.
In the shortest format of the game, the 38-year-old has featured in 232 matches hitting over 5,000 runs and with a top score of 104 not out off 57 balls coming against Australia in 2011. 
He was also a key member of the Sri Lanka team that won the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. 
Dilshan said: “Derbyshire are an ambitious Club with an exciting young team and I’m looking forward to joining them in the NatWest T20 Blast and then returning to help them finish the season strongly.

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“I am really pleased with my current form and this makes me confident I can make a strong contribution to Derbyshire this season.”
Elite Performance Director, Graeme Welch added: “Dilshan is a proven match winner who has shown this time and time again on the world stage. 
“His record speaks for itself and he brings a wealth of experience across all formats and to the dressing room. He is also committed to helping our younger lads during his stay.

“His signing is a real coup for the Club and demonstrates our growing reputation within the game across all formats and our determination to progress in the NatWest T20 Blast competition.”