London: English county Somerset has signed up Natal's former West Indies fast bowler Nixon McLean as its second overseas player for next summer's campaign.
The 29-year-old from St Vincent has played 19 Tests and 44 One-day Internationals, but is currently out of favour and has been playing in South Africa with KwaZulu- Natal. The arrival of McLean will give Somerset a three-pronged pace attack alongside England's Andy Caddick and Richard Johnson as the county seeks to secure promotion back to the top flight of English cricket following relegation this season. McLean played for Hampshire in 1998 and 1999, where he claimed over 100 County Championship wickets. Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson told their official website, www.somerset.cricinfo.com: "In the light of our injury-stricken season with fast bowlers, the club decided that we had to sign a fast bowler as our second overseas player. "Nixon McLean had an outstanding season for Natal in 2002 and good judges of players in South Africa tell us that he is now at the top of his game and he is a formidable strike bowler. Anderson added, "When we first contacted him, he said that he was excited at the prospect of filling Joel Garner's size-15 boots, even though he only takes size 12, and asked me to tell Andy Caddick that he (Nixon) would be bowling with the wind next season! "An attack containing Caddick, McLean and Richard Johnson would be formidable and would strike fear into the hearts of any opening batsman on the circuit." Caddick has been handed a central England contract next season, but Anderson hopes the paceman will still play an active part in Somerset's summer. He added, "With Andrew getting a 12-month contract, and following an arduous winter tour to Australia and the 2003 World Cup in South Africa it may well be that he will be available for a large part of the season as England ring the changes." Somerset's other overseas player for 2003 is Tasmanian batsman Jamie Cox and the county have also confirmed Michael Burns will replace Cox as captain next season.
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Tags: cricket, london, english county somerset, west indies, nixon mclean, st vincent, south africa, kwazulu-natal, andy caddick, richard johnson, hampshire, county championship, somerset chief executive peter anderson, joel garner, jamie cox, michael burns.
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