Chennai sign up Tim Southee

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has been signed up by the Chennai Super Kings franchise for the upcoming IPL season. Former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon, who is currently the fielding coach of the franchise confirmed the news of Southee's signing.

"It's good to have Southee on board, especially coming out of such a great recent tournament [the World Cup]," Rixon told Radio Live. "It's an absolute bonus for us at the moment to be able to get our hands on such a quality player. Tim's recent form over there indicates that he handles those conditions beautifully."

Despite New Zealand's semi-final exit, Southee is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the World Cup with 18 wickets from eight matches. His inclusion will come as a boost to the Chennai squad who have been hit by the injury to Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger, who was ruled out of the World Cup for Australia with an ankle injury.

The injury did not require surgery and Bollinger believes his recovery is on track, but he could miss Chennai's first two games. "I had a bowl and came through the session with no pain at all," Bollinger told AAP . "All going to plan I hope to be (fit) for game three, if not sooner." Bollinger was a key performer in Chennai's successful IPL and Champions League campaigns last year.