Cricket: Sri Lankan hero back with Stags

Mahela Jayawardene

Fresh from being named the new head coach of the Mumbai Indians, Mahela Jayawardene, will return to the Central Districts Stags cricket team as their overseas pro for the McDonalds Super Smash this season.

Sri Lankan Jayawardene proved a hugely successful acquisition during last season's T20 competition, scoring an impressive 249 runs in four outings, at a strike rate of 143. A discussion though, with Devon Hotel Stags coach Heinrich Malan, puts his value in the team environment far higher than just runs on the board.

"Mahela had such a positive influence in our dressing room, for the time that he spent with us. Having someone of his calibre and experience is massive - he can relate to any situation that we find ourselves in as a team, and invariably he is able to give valuable advice on how to approach that situation," Malan said.

"I expect we will get more of the same from Mahela this year, with the added bonus of having him for at least eight games during our T20 campaign."

Currently in Bangladesh for the Bangladesh Premier League, Jayawardene is equally pleased about his return to Central Districts.

"I am excited to be heading back to the Stags for the Super Smash campaign. I thoroughly enjoyed my time last year, so it was an easy decision to return again this year," Jayawardene said.

"The Stags have a great culture, and a team full of young, but experienced cricketers. I hope that I can make a difference for the team on the field, but off the field too."

Jayawardene will join the Stags for either round two or three of the Super Smash. This is largely dependent on where his team, the Dhaka Dynamites, finish in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Central Districts Cricket Association chief executive, Pete de Wet, is thrilled to see a player of Jayawardene's quality in the Stags T20 side.

"Mahela brings a special quality with him, and he adds to what is already a very strong squad. I would urge fans to get their tickets and come to the stadium to watch Mahela, and the Stags in action during this year's Super Smash," de Wet said.