CRICKET: NZ star McCullum joins Sussex to replace Dilshan

The wicketkeeper-batsman replaces Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has been declined permission to play by Sri Lanka cricket, following their scheduling of additional tours to the USA and Zimbabwe in late May and early June.

McCullum, 27, is a hard-hitting right-handed batsman, who has made a name for himself in the shortest form of the game, with a highest score of 158 not out in the very first IPL game in 2007.

He averages 36.55 in Twenty20 Internationals at a strike-rate of 133.19.

Mark Robinson, Sussex's professional cricket manager, said: "Brendon was always on our short list for 2010 and once New Zealand's tour to Zimbabwe was postponed we made our move.

"His power at the top of the order can give us the start we need to help us defend our 2009 title success. It is a shame that Sussex supporters will not get to see Dilshan, though we hope we can bring him at some point in the future."

Dave Brooks, Sussex chief executive, said: "We are extremely grateful to New Zealand Cricket for their speedy release of Brendon. The international calendar becomes ever more congested, so we understand the difficulties that Cricket Sri Lanka had over Dilshan."

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