The last-minute signing of Mahela Jayawardena has already paid big dividends for the Adelaide Strikers.
The Sri Lankan legend showed all his class and experience in steering his new team through a tricky run chase against the reigning KFC Big Bash League champions at the WACA Ground on Monday night.
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Coming to the crease in the second over with the Strikers needing a further 134 off 110 balls against the quality Perth Scorchers bowling attack, Jayawardena’s 42 from 40 helped see Adelaide through the most difficult part of the chase.
It was exactly the role the Strikers would have had in mind when as a late replacement for injured West Indian allrounder Kieron Pollard.
"It’s a tough place to come and beat them here, but the bowlers set the tone up front and kept picking up wickets, which kept them to a decent, chaseable score," Jayawardena said.
“It was a tough wicket with the new ball and we had to stall for a little while, but it was just sensible batting at the end."
