Vaas has taken over 750 wickets in 111 Test matches and 322 ODIs

Northants have signed Sri Lankan seamer Chaminda Vaas until the end of this season's Twenty20 campaign.

The 36-year-old left-arm bowler is expected to make his county debut in the Championship match against Surrey at Wantage Road, starting on 24 May.

"This is a major boost to our hopes of success," Northants head coach David Capel told the club website.

"We've secured the services of a world-class performer with enormous experience in all formats of the game."

He added: "Chaminda is with us through this vital phase of the season and having spoken to him I know he's very enthusiastic about coming here and is geared up for this opportunity."

Vaas has made 111 Test and 322 one-day international appearances for his country - claiming over 750 wickets in total - and was an outstanding performer for Deccan Chargers in the recent Indian Premier League.

He also claimed a hat-trick with the first three balls of a World Cup match against Bangladesh in 2003.

Northants are targeting success in the Friends Provident Twenty20 - which gets underway in June - as Vaas joins forces with fellow internationals Andrew Hall, Nicky Boje and Elton Chigumbura in the Steelbacks' attack.

The club missed out on signing batsman Virender Sehwag earlier this year when the Indian authorities withdrew a 'no objection' certificate.

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