Sanath Jayasuriya, one of the world's most devastating one-day players, is to join Lancashire on a short-term contract to cover for the absence of fellow-Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan.

A statement from the English county on Wednesday said all-rounder Jayasuriya, 37, who retired from international cricket after this year's World Cup, would replace Muralitharan from June 19-July 20 while the off-spinner plays in Sri Lanka's [Images] Test series against Bangladesh.

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson said: "Sanath and Twenty20 Cricket is an exciting prospect. He has a tremendous record in one-day cricket and we are delighted he will be joining us."