Glamorgan close in on Franklin

Glamorgan have agreed contract terms to make James Franklin, the New Zealand left-arm fast bowler, their second overseas player for the coming season.

BBC Sport reported that the county side has targeted Franklin, 25, as a replacement for Michael Kasprowicz. Franklin would only join in mid-May but Glamorgan could rely on Simon Jones during that time.

"The deal has all but been done," said Mike Fatkin, Glamorgan's chief executive. "We have a verbal agreement from James and it's just a case of getting the paperwork processed next week."

Franklin played for Gloucestershire two seasons ago and captured 7 for 60 on debut against Lancashire. During a county stint in 2004, he was called up to the touring national side when Shane Bond was forced home due to a back injury, and took six wickets against England in the final Test. He was later adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his 5 for 42 in a NatWest Series one-day international at Durham. He also captured eight wickets in New Zealand's 2-0 drubbing of West Indies at home this month.

"[Director of cricket] John Derrick has had a good look at the market and James is just the sort of player we have been looking for," said Fatkin. "He will add a different dimension to our game as a left-armer. By creating rough outside the right-hander's off stump he will bring our spinners Robert Croft and Dean Cosker more into play."

Glamorgan have already signed Mark Cosgrove, the South Australian batsman, as replacement for injured first-choice overseas star Matthew Elliott.

In related news, John Derrick has moved up from Glamorgan head coach to director of cricket. "I will still be very much a tracksuit coach, but I'm delighted with the new role and extra responsibility," he told BBC Sport. "It means the buck stops with me, we needed someone to be more accountable after a poor summer last year."