KENT County Cricket Club have given a huge lift to their disappointing season by signing world-class spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan.

The Sri Lankan spin-wizard is due to arrive in England on July 23, and is expected to make his Kent debut four days later in the National League match against Yorkshire at Scarborough.

He will initially take the place of all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who will be on international duty with Australia, but will stay until the end of the season, with Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Sami leaving upon Symonds' return.

Muralitharan follows in the footsteps of Aravinda de Silva, Kent's overseas player for 1995, as their second overseas pro from Sri Lanka and is the first specialist spinner to join Kent since Paul Strang in 1997.

Kent's director of cricket Ian Brayshaw said: "We are thrilled to have Murali with us for the latter part of the season.

"As we found with Steve Waugh last year, to have a player of such international standing has a huge impact throughout the club and it will be a particularly good opportunity for our younger players to learn from one of the world's greatest bowlers."

A veteran of 82 Tests, 233 one-day internationals and 155 first-class matches, Murali has claimed an incredible 459 Test wickets at an average of 23.55.With a best of nine for 51, his blend of quick off-spin and dipping deliveries has mesmerised batsmen the world over.

He has plenty of experience in English conditions. He has enjoyed spells in county cricket with Lancashire having previously spent some time in Kent when he played for the Maidstone-based club side Lashings.

In 1999 Muralitharan, 31, was the Wisden Cricketer of the Year. One English batsman famously once said: "Murali would probably turn it if he bowled on the M4!"