Warwickshire have signed Sri Lankan Test bowler Vishwa Fernando to bolster their attack for the start of the Rothesay County Championship.
Left-arm quick Fernando – who has 79 Test wickets, including four in his last outing in South Africa in December – will be available for Warwickshire’s Division One games in April.
It means he could make his Bears debut in the season opener against Sussex starting on 4 April, followed by the trip to his former club Durham, and the home game against Nottinghamshire from 18 April.
The 33-year-old is an experienced First Class cricketer with 342 wickets in 124 games.
He impressed during three red ball games for Yorkshire last summer, taking 17 wickets including nine wickets in a match against Derbyshire (5/30 and 4/58).
He said: “I am thrilled to be joining Warwickshire for the early stages of the season. Playing county cricket has been hugely enjoyable for me over the last two years.
“The county have some very good cricketers and I am looking forward to playing with Alex Davies, Ed Barnard and all the boys.
“When I step on to the field for any team I always give 100 per cent and the loyal Bears fans will get my absolute heart and soul in every day I am there.
“I am grateful to Cricket Sri Lanka for allowing me this opportunity and thankful to Mark Robinson for believing in my ability.”
Fernando is the latest signing in what’s been a busy few months for Warwickshire as the Club looks to mount trophy challenges on all three fronts in 2025.
Last week, Pakistan pacer Hassan Ali confirmed he’ll return to Edgbaston this season for a third successive year.
It follows the capture of Australia seam allrounder Beau Webster, New Zealand Test Captain Tom Latham, and former Middlesex pacer Ethan Bamber.
Warwickshire First Team Coach Mark Robinson, said: “We are delighted to have secured Vishwa for the first three rounds of the County Championship.
“He’s a proven international bowler and, a left-armer, who will offer us great variation to complement our attack.
“He did well for Yorkshire last season in a brief stay, took plenty of wickets, and we hope he can help us get off to a strong start this campaign.”
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