Surrey snap up spinner Herath(02-Sep-2009)
Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Rangana Herath has joined Surrey until the end of the season and will make his debut against Gloucestershire at Bristol.
Herath joins Surrey after taking a match-winning 5-139 in the final innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Colombo.
Herath, 31, told BBC London 94.9: "I'm so happy to be playing county cricket.
"As a cricketer that's your dream. I'm happy to be a professional cricketer playing for Surrey."
Herath has played 18 Test matches, taking 59 wickets at an average of 34, and also boasts impressive first-class figures.
In 168 matches he has taken 607 wickets at 23.65 with 2009 bringing him 20 wickets in five games at 23.69 apiece.
Surrey cricket manager Chris Adams told the club website: "We have three Championship matches to go and it's important for our momentum going into next year that we finish the season in winning fashion.
"Spin plays a huge part at the back end of a season and securing a top-class international spinner like Rangana will hopefully help us to close out matches and turn good positions into wins."
Herath began the summer playing club cricket for North Staffordshire side Moddershall, but was recalled by Sri Lanka for the series against Pakistan.
Herath joins Surrey after taking a match-winning 5-139 in the final innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Colombo.
Herath, 31, told BBC London 94.9: "I'm so happy to be playing county cricket.
"As a cricketer that's your dream. I'm happy to be a professional cricketer playing for Surrey."
Herath has played 18 Test matches, taking 59 wickets at an average of 34, and also boasts impressive first-class figures.
In 168 matches he has taken 607 wickets at 23.65 with 2009 bringing him 20 wickets in five games at 23.69 apiece.
Surrey cricket manager Chris Adams told the club website: "We have three Championship matches to go and it's important for our momentum going into next year that we finish the season in winning fashion.
"Spin plays a huge part at the back end of a season and securing a top-class international spinner like Rangana will hopefully help us to close out matches and turn good positions into wins."
Herath began the summer playing club cricket for North Staffordshire side Moddershall, but was recalled by Sri Lanka for the series against Pakistan.