Sussex go global to build squad

Sussex have bolstered their squad ahead of the new season with three signings from differing corners of the globe. Naved Arif from Pakistan, former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent and South African Kirk Wernars will all join the Hove outfit for 2011.

Arif, 29, is a left-arm seamer who has played for Pakistan and is hoping to qualify for county cricket through his Danish wife. Vincent had a 23-Test and 102-match one-day international career with New Zealand and has already played for Lancashire, Northamptonshire and Worcestershire and will soon have a British passport. Sussex plan to use Vincent mainly in the one-day and Twenty20 tournaments although he will provide cover in the Championship.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Wernars has been picked up from the South African domestic scene where he has been playing for Western Province. He has also represented the national Under-19 side and he played against Sussex for the Cape Cobras emerging team on last year's pre-season trip to Dubai. Wernars qualifies for English domestic cricket under a Dutch passport.

"Naved is a late developer, and with his background in Pakistan he's had to do it the tough way," Mark Robinson, the Sussex cricket manager, said. "His record out there on unhelpful wickets is outstanding and he's got the potential to change games

"Lou is of course an experienced international batsman who can turn a game in his own right, and he's a brilliant fielder," Robinson added. "He's on an initial one-day contract but will cover the four-day team when needed.

"We've had many good reports about Kirk over the winter through our South African connections, he's a lad with promise and a genuine all-rounder. He hits the ball hard and can open the bowling as well, which will give us more options.

"Our priority all winter has been to strengthen the bowling and ideally bring in an all-rounder as well. To do that and to be able to bring a proven match winner like Lou is exciting and sets us up nicely for the summer."

The one final decision for Sussex to make ahead of the new season is their second Friends Provident t20 overseas signing to go alongside Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Wayne Parnell.