Nottinghamshire sign Butler for T20s

Nottinghamshire have signed New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler ahead of their first Friends Life t20 match against Leicestershire. Butler, currently part of the New Zealand squad involved in the two-match T20 series against England, will join the county side after the T20I at the Oval.

"The Notts Outlaws squad looks very strong and I feel well prepared having played two twenty20 internationals this week," Butler said. "There is a great tradition of New Zealand cricketers doing well with Nottinghamshire and I am really looking forward to playing at Trent Bridge."

Butler has played eight Tests, 26 ODIs and 18 T20Is for New Zealand and has taken 75 international wickets. He has previously represented Gloucestershire and Kent in T20s.

"Ian has a good international pedigree and he was very effective bowling to England's top order in Tuesday's match," Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell said. "We're placing a heavy workload on Ajmal Shahzad, Luke Fletcher and Harry Gurney and this signing will improve our quality and depth."

Butler will only be available for the T20 matches as the format allows fielding two overseas players, David Hussey being Nottinghamshire's other overseas player.