Bevan to play for Kent

Michael Bevan, the former Australian one-day star, is set to join Kent on a short-term contract this summer, and Ian Butler, the 22-year-old New Zealand fast bowler, may also be drafted in.

Bevan and Butler will provide Kent with cover for Andrew Symonds, who will be on international duty next month should Australia's one-day series against Zimbabwe go ahead as scheduled, and Pakistan's paceman Mohammad Sami, who will be away for eight weeks from mid-July, at the Asia Cup one-day series.

This will be Bevan's fourth spell in county cricket, having played for Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Sussex in the past. He is widely regarded as one of the best one-day batsmen in the world, with an average of 53 from over 200 matches, but was dropped from Australia's list of contracted players for the 2004-05 season last month after a lean period.

"I still think that I have room for improvement and my body is feeling great," said Bevan. He is continuing his first-class career with New South Wales, and has been looking for a county contract in England.

Butler spent part of last summer with Gloucestershire, and picked up 17 wickets in four Championship matches. He has played seven Tests and 10 one-day internationals since his debut against England in 2002, but was not picked for New Zealand's current tour.