Kent coach Paul Farbrace says that Sri Lankan leg-spinner Malinga Bandara was always the county’s Number one target in their quest to sign a second overseas player this summer.

The 30-year-old arrives at Canterbury to play in the second half of the season and will replace Australian paceman Stuart Clark.

It will be his second spell in English first class cricket having played half a season for Gloucestershire in 2005, when he took 45 wickets.

Malinga will be the second Sri Lankan after Aravinda de Silva and Muttiah Muralitharan to join Kent.

"He was always our 100 per cent first choice and has been ready to sign since the end of November but has been patient and understood our situation," Kent Director of Coaching Paul Farbrace said.

"Malinga is a good solid performer. He bats down the order and has a brilliant arm too. He should have played more Test cricket, but unfortunately for him Ajantha Mendis came on the scene from nowhere and had a wonderful 12 months which set him back."

"Experience and availability were two key factors in signing Bandara and Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark. We know both of them well and what we are getting. They will both be able to focus and concentrate on playing for Kent," Farbrace added.

Farbrace was Sri Lanka’s assistant coach working with Trevor Bayliss for three years before he took the assignment with Kent.