Nicol signs for Canterbury

Auckland batsman Rob Nicol has transferred to Canterbury on a one-year contract. Nicol, who missed most of last season due to personal reasons, will be named in Canterbury's list of 12 contracted player on Friday.

"I am really looking forward to making a fresh start in a new province this season," said Nicol. "Canterbury will provide me with the opportunity to further my game as well as push for New Zealand selection."

Canterbury have been searching for an opening partner for Michael Papps and Lee Germon, Canterbury Cricket's chief executive, believed Nicol was the right man. "Rob is an outstanding player capable of batting in the top order as well as bowling effective off spin and we are very pleased to welcome him to Canterbury," he said.

Canterbury coach Bob Carter agreed with Germon. "I see him [Nicol] as an opening batsman who offers something with his offspin and someone who has a good record in all forms of the game," he said. "It [opening] is an area where he sees his future and I do too. He's got two types of game; he has a power game as well as having stickability at the top of the order in the longer game and hopefully he can do that for us."

Nicol, 26, debuted for Auckland in 2001-02 and has scored 3278 first-class runs at 36.02, with seven centuries and 17 half-centuries. In 18 domestic Twenty20 games he averages 52 with the bat and has taken 12 wickets at 23.83.