Kent say Sri Lankan Malinga Bandara was always the county’s No.1 target in their quest to sign a second overseas player this summer.

The 30-year-old leg spinner 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.

Team director Paul Farbrace said: "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.

"Bandara is a good solid performer, bats down the order, with a brilliant arm. 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, and Farbrace added: "We know both of them well and what we are getting. They will both be able to focus and concentrate on playing for Kent."

The county have ended their plans to recruit at least one of two fast bowling targets, Farbrace confirming that one of them is no longer available, while interest in the other has "gone cold."

Farbrace has invited three other seamers to join in training, former Gloucestershire man Will Rudge, David Burton who has played for Middlesex and Gloucestershire, and Jahid Ahmed released by Essex at the end of last season.