Worcestershire replace Ajmal with Senanayake
Worcestershire have taken no chances with Saeed Ajmal after the veteran off-spinner made a comeback to International Cricket yesterday. They have signed Sri Lankan off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake as Ajmal’s replacement.
Pakistan are touring Bangladesh now and Ajmal was named in all 3 squads. Since this tour came out of nowhere, the county is concerned that something similar might happen in the future and have hence signed Senanayake who is also looking to make a comeback into the Lankan national side having played only Test before which was against Pakistan last year where he failed to pick wickets.
But he has an impressive first class record though where he averages just 19 having picked 376 wickets.
"With Saeed Ajmal's situation, it is always difficult with so much international cricket being played around the world and suddenly tours do come around. The one of Bangladesh is a late agreement to tour so it meant we've had to find a replacement,” said Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire's director of cricket. "But we are very happy with Senanayake, a proven international player. He has played a lot of games in the shorter formats for Sri Lanka, not a lot of the Test matches, but his first class record is excellent. He has got a really good ratio of five wicket hauls and, when you are looking at replacing a strike bowler like Saeed, you need someone who can take wickets and he is proven at that."