STOKE Green CC have signed Shameera Weerasinghe as their new overseas star ahead of the 2014 Thames Valley League season.

Newly promoted Stoke, who will play in Division 2b this summer, snapped up the former Sri Lankan under-19 (U19) all-rounder, who has also played 40 domestic matches.

Weerasinghe, 24, captained his school at every level, and holds the record for scoring 1,000 runs and taking 100 wickets in a season (2008/09).

He represented Sri Lanka at U19 level in a triangular tournament with India and Bangladesh in 2007, and then toured the latter in April 2009.

A few months earlier Weerasinghe made his First Class and List-A debuts for Moors Sports Club, where he played for two seasons before moving to rivals Lankan in 2010.

He remains a promising batting all-rounder, albeit in recent years has failed to cement his spot for Lankan after a maiden First Class century (121*) in season 2011/12.

Speaking exclusively to the Observer, Stoke captain Sukh Dhillon believes Weerasinghe will play a key role in establishing the club in Division 2b.

He explained: “We are going to be playing against teams with professionals so this is our counter measure.

“We’ve lost Kashif Nizami, who scored a lot of runs for us, but Shameera will hopefully do the same and add something with the ball.

“This is his first time over here and he’s had a lean patch, so is trying to learn by playing in a few different countries.

“He will help develop our young side by passing on his knowledge through playing and coaching.” Dhillon believes that what Stoke may lack in experience, they will more than make up for in confidence, despite the possibility of losing pace ace Richard Parker.

“It’s an exciting time at the club after three promotions in a row,” he boasted. “We had a team meeting on Saturday and everybody is looking forward to it.

“I have spoken to a lot of people and there’s a real buzz around the place. People are interested in what’s going on and we’re talking to a couple of interested players from a higher level.

“This season will be about experience and we’ll probably be looking to stabilise. We’ll play a few games and see where we are, but we’ve got a lot of potential.

“We have proven ourselves by punching above our weight and reaching a few finals in cup competitions.” Stoke Green will begin the new season at Aldershot on May 11, and have clashes with rivals Slough and Burnham to look forward to this summer.

“We want to get revenge against Slough for an important game lost last year; we know we can beat them.” Dhillon’s men are also engaged in the Davidstow Village Cup, where they will travel to Bledlow Ridge on May 11.

“We have got a score to settle with Bledlow,” said the skipper. “They beat us in the regional final a couple of years ago, but we were the better side.

“We lost to Dinton at the same stage last year. I’d love to go one step further, but they’re a big club in the Home Counties League and getting past them will be a challenge.” **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out every Friday, for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**