Kent sign paceman Parnell

By Mark Pennell

KENT have signed South African international fast bowler Wayne Parnell as their overseas player for 2009, initially for a six-week period.

The 19-year-old left-arm rookie firebrand agreed terms with the county on Thursday and, subject to UK Visa clearance, is expected to arrive in England on Saturday morning. It his hoped his first appearance will be in Spitfires Friends Provident Trophy opener against Somerset in Taunton this Sunday.

Nicknamed ‘Pigeon“ or ‘Parny“, Parnell has played only 11 first-class games for his native Eastern Province Warriors side taking 27 wickets at an average of 33.25.

In his four one-day-international appearances to date for the Proteas, he has claimed six wickets at an average of 31 with a strike-rate of a wicket every 36 deliveries. His career-best with the bat is an unbeaten 26.

His lastinternational appearance was on April 13, when he played against Australia at his home ground in Port Elizabeth.

In welcoming Parnell to Kent, chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: “We“re delighted that Wayne has decided to come to Kent, particularly at such short notice.

“Graham Ford has seen him in action in recent weeks and believes he will do a fantastic job for us. “

Parnell becomes the latest of a string of relatively unknown South African“s to have starred for Kent in recent seasons including Morne Morkel, Ryan McLaren and Tyron Henderson.

A former South Africa Under-19 starlet, Parnell has toured with the emerging South Africa squad and was South Africa captain during the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, where he led the side into the final.

He comes to Kent in place of Stuart Clark, who was re-called by Australia earlier this month.