Dwaine Pretorius joins Northamptonshire for Vitality T20 Blast

South Africa allrounder Dwaine Pretorius will join Northamptonshire for this season's Vitality T20 Blast.

The 30-year-old Pretorius will link up with the Steelbacks squad for the tournament, which begins in mid-July, alongside another newcomer to Wantage Road, Faheem Ashraf of Pakistan. Pretorius may also be available for selection for the County Championship match against Worcestershire in August.

Pretorius is part of South Africa's squad for the World Cup starting on May 30, having played 19 ODIs and four T20Is.

"I am really stoked to be joining Northamptonshire for the T20 Blast and for some red ball cricket," Pretorius said. "I have always wanted to play county cricket - personally it's a dream come true and I can't wait for the opportunity. I will be doing everything I can to help the Steelbacks lift the cup and I'm thankful for the opportunity to be part of the team."

In his T20 career to date, Pretorius has scored 1426 runs with a strike rate of 141.46 - including 77 not out off just 42 balls against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg in March - and has taken 72 wickets with an economy rate of 8.22. He will join Northamptonshire subject to a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) being granted by CSA.

Northants head coach David Ripley said: "It's great to have Dwaine joining us for the T20 campaign. He is very hungry for his opportunity and gives us another hard-hitting allrounder in our line up, which in this format is always great to have."