Notts sign overseas stand-in

South African Test bowler Steve Elworthy has signed a short-term contract with Notts as replacement overseas player for the early part of the 2003 season.

He will spend a six week spell at Trent Bridge to cover for Chris Cairns and Stuart MacGill, who both have brief international commitments with New Zealand and Australia respectively.

Elworthy said: "I had been in touch with an agent in England who I'd asked to put a few feelers out to see if there was anything available and I thought the chance had gone when this came completely out of the blue.

"I have a lot of connections with Notts having played with Jason Gallian at Lancashire, Greg Smith for Northern Transvaal and even new-signing Russell Warren when I had a trial at Northants.

"I also have happy memories of Trent Bridge, the place I made my Test debut and I'm really looking forward to getting over there to play county cricket again."

Notts manager Mick Newell said: "We felt it was important to have an experienced replacement for that stage of the season.

"Steve is obviously a high quality seam bowler who could, and perhaps should, have played many more times for his country than he actually has.

"We are confident he will do a good replacement job for both of our overseas players in his six-week spell."

Right arm seamer Elworthy has played four Tests for the Springboks, most recently in November 2002 against Sri Lanka.

He made his debut at Trent Bridge in the 4th Test against England in 1998 and has also played 39 One-Day Internationals.

As well as claiming 474 first class wickets to date, he is also a useful lower order bat, with an average of 20.45.

He remains on the fringes of the South African squad and was the stand-by bowler for the current World Cup.