Mahela Jayawardene insists he still has the “hunger and desire” to win trophies.

The Sri Lanka legend will play in the first seven games of Sussex’s NatWest T20 Blast campaign before leaving to take part in the Caribbean Premier League.

He will be replaced by Australia T20 captain George Bailey but will be available again if Sussex qualify for finals day in August. Sussex’s solitary T20 success came in 2009, while they have not progressed from the group stages for the last two years, but Jayawardene believes they have the players to challenge this season.

He said: “I definitely think this can be a successful season for Sussex. Having played the warm-up game on Wednesday I have seen the talent there is in the squad.

“The first few games are very important for us to make sure get a good start and if we achieve that then I’m confident we can have a good season.

“My commitment in the Caribbean finishes at the end of July so I would be available for finals day if Sussex got there. It would be brilliant to be part of that.”

Jayawardene called time on his international career after the World Cup in March and will celebrate his 38th birthday during his time at Hove but he insists he is still as ambitious as he was back in 1997 when he made his Test debut.

He added: “I still enjoy playing cricket and whatever level you are playing at you still want to challenge yourself and be the best you can be.”