Kent sign South African great Makhaya Ntini as their overseas player

Kent County Cricket Club today signed South Africa’s Makhaya Ntini as their first overseas player of the summer. The seam bowler has signed a five-week deal and will stay at St Lawrence until late May, when Sri Lankan spin bowler Malinga Bandara arrives to replace him.

Ntini is one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket and made his 100th Test match appearance last December. He is one of only three South Africans to take 300 Test wickets, the others being Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald.

The 32 year-old, who played for Warwickshire in 2005, will arrive in the country on Monday and will make his Kent debut in the club“s LV= County Championship match at Lancashire, a day later.

Commenting on the signing of Ntini, Kent“s team director, Paul Farbrace, said: "I“m delighted to sign Makhaya. He’s got a fantastic record and is a proven Test match seam bowler.

“He has got a tremendous work ethic and is a similar character to Stuart Clark. He will be a great asset to the dressing room and everyone is excited by his arrival."

Kent“s chief executive officer, Jamie Clifford, added: “While it was disappointing to learn that Stuart Clark wasn“t coming because of injury, it is fantastic that we have now been able to secure the services of another true world-class bowler.

“Paul has been working very hard on trying to bring someone of undoubted quality to the club and that effort and dedication has now paid off. Like our supporters, I look forward to seeing Makhaya star in a Kent shirt.

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