James Franklin signs for Glamorgan

James Franklin has previous experience of the county season having played for Gloucestershire two years ago © Getty Images

James Franklin, the New Zealand left-arm fast bowler, has signed for Glamorgan for the forthcoming season. Franklin, 25, will arrive in mid-May as a replacement for Michael Kasprowicz, following New Zealand's tour of South Africa.

"We are delighted that James is joining us," John Derrick, the Glamorgan coach, told the team's website. "His left-arm bowling will add extra variety to our attack, and he is coming over to Wales on the back of a highly successful season in New Zealand."

Franklin is well accustomed to the English season having played for Gloucestershire two seasons ago, where he took 7 for 60 on debut against Lancashire. He also featured in the Test and one-day series when New Zealand toured England in 2004 and, last month, captured eight wickets in New Zealand's 2-0 drubbing of West Indies.

"I have spoken several times in the past couple of weeks to John Bracewell, the coach of the New Zealand team," Derrick added. "He has a very high regard for James` ability, both as a left-arm swing bowler and as a middle-order batsman. In fact, in John`s opinion, James could bat at number six in the future for New Zealand."

Franklin won't be alone this season: he joins a host of compatriots including Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Daniel Vettori, Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall and his captain Stephen Fleming, all of whom have been signed up by other counties.