Cricket: Institute's crucial in securing batting star

Mahela Jayawardene

The Marlborough Institute of Technology in Nelson helped sign up former Sri Lanka international Mahela Jayawardene to play for the Central Districts Stags this summer.

CD coach Heinrich Malan says the institute belongs to an exchange programme with the Sri Lankan Government, of which adroit Jayawardene batsman is an ambassador.

"They contribute to his involvement with the Stags and they sponsor him to play for us," says Malan, as the Stags attempt to win their second bragging rights to the Georgie Pie Super Smash T20 competition, starting next month.

"It's an awesome opportunity for some of our players because he's one of the biggest names signed in New Zealand, so we are looking forward to having a world-class performer."

The 38-year-old from Colombo will play the last six games plus the playoffs but will miss the first four rounds because he is playing in the Warne/Tendulkar charity matches in the United Kingdom.

His first game will be against the Wellington Firebirds in Nelson, on November 19.

Jayawardene retired from national duties in March but he recently plied his trade in the Caribbean (Jamaica Tallawahs) and English T20 (Sussex) leagues.

While the Stags clinched the Ford Trophy one-day domestic cricket bragging rights last summer, Malan says they are seeking consistency in all three formats.

"We want to finish on the top half of all three competitions," he says, adding that winning one and finishing in the bottom half of the other two is a "good" season but not a "successful" one.

"If we can be on top half of all competitions and adding the players we've produced in the past couple of months playing for the Blacks Caps, then we're moving in the right direction."

Will Young needs consistency, especially after scoring 900-odd runs in the red-ball format last summer.

"Building on that and trying to push for 1000 runs this summer is one of his goals and he showcases his white-ball skills to show how good a player he is," he says, adding Jesse Ryder "offers both sides of the coin" as an all-rounder.