O'Brien becomes latest Leicestershire signing

Kevin O'Brien, the big hitting Ireland batsman, will join his brother Niall at Leicestershire for the NatWest T20 Blast this season. Leicestershire have strong pedigree in the competition and the experienced O'Brien will attempt to bring success back to the beleaguered county.

O'Brien, best known for his pink-haired raid against England at the 2011 World Cup, has somewhat failed to live up to that billing in county cricket. He blazed 119 from just 52 balls for Gloucestershire in 2011 but in stints with Nottinghamshire, Somerset and Surrey has only managed one half-century in 24 matches.

His bowling is more of an asset with 68 wickets at an average of 22.94 and an economy of 7.45 runs per over.

O'Brien, who will be available for nine of the 14 group stage matches, becomes the latest in a number of new signings for Leicestershire under a new regime of head coach Andrew McDonald and chief executive Wasim Khan. Mark Cosgrove, a British passport holder, is the club's new captain and Grant Elliot, who starred in the World Cup for New Zealand, has agreed a deal for 10 T20s. Clint McKay has also signed a season-long deal.

"Kevin adds further international experience to a line-up that includes his brother Niall, Grant Elliott, Mark Cosgrove, Clint McKay," Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan said. "We look forward to seeing him in action at Grace Road."

Leicestershire get their T20 Blast campaign underway away to Lancashire on May 15.