County clinch Kleinveldt signing

The Cape Cobras seamer has put his signature to a short-term deal that will see him available for eight County Championship and 10 Natwest t20 Blast.

Visa issues mean that the opener against Durham, which gets under way at the County Ground on Sunday, will come too soon for Kleinveldt but he is expected to arrive next week, in plenty of time to make the trip to Headingley the following weekend.

Speaking about the deal, chief executive David Smith said: “Everything’s agreed with both Rory and Cricket South Africa and it’s now down to getting the visa sorted at his end.

“It will be good to have him here, he brings a good, allround package and is keen to get going.

“He’ll bring useful experience to the squad, his record is pretty good and he’s had a strong finish to the season with the Cobras.”

Having had their original overseas recruit, Jackson Bird, pull out of his contract at a late stage, the County could have been left in a mess but Smith believes that some forward planning prevented that from occuring.

He added: “We always had a plan B in place in case Jackson was unable to come.

“Rory had already been spoken to and knew what the situation was so we were on the money in that regard.

“These things happen and while it’s a pity that Jackson can’t come, Rory is a good acquisition for us.”