Head coach David Ripley says versatile Wayne Parnell fits the bill for Northants

Northants head coach David Ripley is delighted to have secured the services of South Africa all-rounder Wayne Parnell for the whole of the 2021 season.
Wayne Parnell has joined Northants as an overseas signing for the whole 2021 seasonWayne Parnell has joined Northants as an overseas signing for the whole 2021 season
Wayne Parnell has joined Northants as an overseas signing for the whole 2021 season

The former Worcestershire player was unveiled as the County's second overseas signing this week, following on from the capture of Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi for the Vitality Blast T20 competiton.

A left-arm seamer and left-hand batsman, Parnell will be available to play in all competitions for Northants, and could make his debut in the club's LV= County Championship opener against Kent on April 8.

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And it was his all-round ability and versatility that attracted Ripley to signing the 31-year-old, with the head coach admitting to a change in strategy once it became a possibility they may be able to land a player who has made more than 100 appearances for his country across all formats.

“We started the winter looking for someone who could perhaps play some Championship cricket at the start, and then have a different player to support Mohammad Nabi for the T20s." Ripley told nccc.co.uk

“We had one or two options there, but when Wayne came into the picture we felt he could offer a real all-round contribution for us.

“He bowls left-arm with some good pace, he can bat, he’s bowled some big pressure overs for Worcester in the T20s and made the finals there twice with them bowling at the death.

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"So in white ball cricket it’s a massive tick but he's got desire to play red ball cricket too and that was the most important thing.

Wayne Parnell helped Worcestershire Rapids to the T20 Blast title in 2018, and the final the following yearWayne Parnell helped Worcestershire Rapids to the T20 Blast title in 2018, and the final the following year
Wayne Parnell helped Worcestershire Rapids to the T20 Blast title in 2018, and the final the following year

“We’ll manage his workload through that along with our other bowlers, as the Championship games come thick and fast at the start of the season but I feel it's going to be a really good all round addition to the squad.

“The other benefit we’ve got is he’ll also offer something in the 50 over competition where we thought we’d be missing some players (due to The Hundred which runs alongside the Royal London Cup) and as it happens we have lost two more players so he fills that gap for us.”

Parnell's signing is likely to be the final piece in the jigsaw for Northants, and he completes what looks to be a strong seam bowling department, joining the likes of Ben Sanderson, Brandon Glover, Jack White, Nathan Buck, Tom Taylor and Gareth Berg.

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Parnell last played for South Africa in Test, ODI and T20 international cricket in 2017, but he opted out of the international scene when he signed a three-year deal to join Worcestershire as a Kolpak signing the following summer.

Wayne Parnell has played more than 100 times for South AfricaWayne Parnell has played more than 100 times for South Africa
Wayne Parnell has played more than 100 times for South Africa

The player lost his Kolpak status at the turn of the year which led to him leaving Worcester as he now comes under the overseas player category.

It does mean though that Parnell, who hasn't played first-class cricket since 2019, is once again available for selection by his country.

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