Willoughby heads to Grace Road

Charl Willoughby, the South African and Western Province Boland left-arm seamer, has signed a one-year deal with Leicestershire, as a replacement for Mark Cleary, the South Australian seam bowler, who will not be returning because of injury. Willoughby joins on the recommendation of HD Ackerman, the former Western Province batsman and now Leicestershire captain.

James Whitaker, their director of cricket, told the Leicestershire website: "We are delighted that he has agreed terms for this year and we look forward to him being part of what we hope will be a successful and exciting season. The fact that he is a left arm seamer who can swing the ball will be a real advantage and provide something different in our attack."

Willoughby has been the leading wicket-taker for Western Province in the last two seasons. In 2004-05 he has taken 43 wickets at 26 apiece, as Western Province just missed out on a place in the SuperSport series final. He has played two Tests and three ODIs, the last of his international appearances was against England at Edgbaston in 2003.

Leicestershire are the Twenty20 champions, but are in division two of both the County Championship and National League, so the arrival of Willoughby will add a cutting edge to the attack in their push for promotion.