Despite criticism from many for its supposed dearth of quality overseas players, English County Cricket has a growing list of overseas talent for the 2015 season, with Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mark Cosgrove and Brendan Taylor the latest additions.
The 38-year-old Dilshan most recently played for Surrey, with whom he enjoyed a successful stint during the 2014 season, and will have two spells at Derbyshire in 2015.
In June, he will appear in two LV County Championship fixtures and four NatWest T20 Blast games, before returning in August for the final month of the campaign.
Dilshan said “Derbyshire are an ambitious Club with an exciting young team and I’m looking forward to joining them in the NatWest T20 Blast and then returning to help them finish the season strongly.”
The county’s Elite Performance Director, Graeme Welch added “Dilshan is a proven match winner who has shown this time and time again on the world stage. His record speaks for itself and he brings a wealth of experience across all formats and to the dressing room. His signing is a real coup for the Club and demonstrates our growing reputation within the game across all formats and our determination to progress in the NatWest T20 Blast competition.”
#BREAKING: Derbyshire sign Sri Lanka star Tillakaratne Dilshan for two spells in 2015 #P2bDhttp://t.co/TNzV7Lby0zpic.twitter.com/rKqUZreORO
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) March 17, 2015
Mark Cosgrove, the aggressive top-order batsman from South Australia, has signed a two year deal which will see him take on the captaincy of Leicestershire.
As he holds a British passport, the Australian will not count as an overseas player; Leicestershire already have Clint McKay and Grant Elliott signed up as their permitted two overseas players for 2015.
The 30-year-old has played three ODIs for Australia, but has not looked like being selected again in recent years, and has ruled himself out of the running to play internationally again by signing a county contract.
Leicestershire’s Head Coach, Andrew McDonald, said: “Mark is a player I know well from my time at South Australia and Sydney Thunder and it is brilliant that we have him on board for the next two seasons. Mark is a destructive batsman who can bat anywhere at the top of the order and his aggressive approach will be welcome in all formats.”
Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Andrew McDonald said: “Mark is a player I know well from my time at South Australia and Sydney Thunder and it is brilliant that we have him on board for the next two seasons.
“Mark is a destructive batsman who can bat anywhere at the top of the order and his aggressive approach will be welcome in all formats. Mark has a terrific career record and his leadership abilities will be of great value to Leicestershire County Cricket Club, as well as the runs that he will score.”
SIGNING | We are delighted to unveil Mark Cosgrove (@cozzie99) as our new club captain on a two-year contract http://t.co/Qr0pfFs7lp
— Leicestershire CCC (@leicsccc) March 17, 2015
Brendan Taylor, the experienced Zimbabwe wicket-keeper, has also signed on a Kolpak deal, meaning he will also not count as one of Nottinghamshire’s overseas players in 2015.
He made an excellent century against India in his country’s final World Cup game, and will not be eligible to appear for the national side for the next three years, the period in which he will be contracted at Trent Bridge.
Ahead of the upcoming season, we have found ourselves with two batsmen injured and face the potential loss of players to international commitments,” said Nottinghamshire’s Director of Cricket Mick Newell, who was linked with the role of England Head Coach after Andy Flower stood down in 2014.
“We have decided to strengthen our batting order with Brendan, a proven player who will be an excellent addition to the side.
Brendan Taylor to join Nottinghamshire: http://t.co/9kSwLVufI6pic.twitter.com/UcxSUhbfB5
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) March 11, 2015
The moves mean that there is an increasing supply of world-class talent set to feature in the NatWest T20 Blast in 2015, with the likes of Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Corey Anderson and Shahid Afridi already signed up.
Selection of overseas players signed for the 2015 Natwest T20 Blast. #countycricket #NWBlast pic.twitter.com/veSApP3kW9
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 13, 2015
As a result, it is hard to see how the criticism that has often been given to the English T20 competition with regards to a lack of quality overseas players will continue.
