Worcestershire sign Alexei Kervezee

Alexei Kervezee, the 17-year-old Netherlands batsman, has signed a two-year contract with Worcestershire. Highly regarded in Dutch cricket, he made his one-day debut as a 16-year-old in July this year against Sri Lanka in which he made a cultured 47.

"Alexei came to our attention earlier this year and is a very accomplished and exciting young talent," Mark Newton, Worcestershire's chief executive said. "He came over to trial with the club and I went to Amsterdam recently to meet with him and his family. We have agreed that he will spend the next two seasons with us where he will benefit from being part of a professional squad."

Holland's bowling coach Ian Pont told Cricinfo: "This guy is a serious player with shades of Graeme Hick. It's a massive story for Holland."

"I'm very happy and excited about signing with the club," Kervezee said, "and am looking forward to learning from such great players and coaches. I have already received such warm and encouraging impressions from everyone - the players, the coaches and the management at Worcestershire."

Kervezee was also named in the Netherlands World Cup squad for the 2007 tournament in the Caribbean.