Malinga pens short-term Kent deal

Malinga has taken 83 Test and 61 ODI wickets for Sri Lanka

Kent have bolstered their ranks by signing Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga on a short-term contract.

Famed for his distinctive action, the 23-year-old will be able to play in Twenty20 finals day on Saturday, Kent director of coaching Simon Willis said.

Malinga, who took four wickets in four balls against South Africa, has signed a three-week deal and is the fifth Sri Lankan to play county cricket in 2007.

He replaces South African Andrew Hall, who has international commitments.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan have both represented Lancashire this term, while Kumar Sangakkara is with Warwickshire and Chaminda Vaas is playing for Middlesex.

"I am delighted to get the opportunity and I consider the experience to be a great one," Malinga was quoted as saying in the Sri Lankan media.

"I will try to maximise every opportunity at Kent for the betterment of my game.

"This is the first time I have played any form of domestic cricket in another country and I am looking forward to an enjoyable three weeks in the Kent dressing room."

Kent face Sussex in the second Twenty20 semi-final at Edgbaston on Saturday.