Popular overseas professional Geeth Kumara has handed Keswick Cricket Club an early boost by agreeing to stay with the club for their 2020 season.

There is also an option for the all-rounder to return to Fitz Park for 2021, too, with the intention of what would be a decade of excellent service to the club being rewarded with a benefit.

Kumara returned to Sri Lanka earlier this week and, later this year, will continue his first-class professional career in his home city of Colombo.

After agreeing his contract, 31-year-old Kumara said: “We have some good young players emerging at Keswick and, if we can get our best team on the field, then we are capable of challenging for honours.

"But the club is strong and ambitious in many ways.”

On his life in Keswick since joining the club in 2011, he added: “It did not occur to me that I would ever play so long for Keswick.

"But it’s the biggest thing that has happened in my life and everything has changed for me over the last eight years and in a very good way.

"Keswick is, without doubt, my second home.”

Keswick’s publicity officer Keith Richardson said: “The club is delighted that Geeth will be returning next season to continue his work.

"By preferring to stay at Keswick in the face of a financially more lucrative option in Manchester, he has shown his loyalty.”

Cleator, meanwhile, yesterday announced Supeshala Jayathilake has agreed to re-join the club for their 2020 season as their overseas professional.