Zondeki signs for Warwickshire

The South African fast bowler, Monde Zondeki, has signed as Warwickshire's overseas player for the 2008 season.

Zondeki, 25, has represented South Africa in five Tests and 11 one-day Internationals, having made his Test debut on South Africa's last tour of England in 2003.

His ODI debut came six months earlier, at Bloemfontein in December 2002, where he made an immediate impact with his first-ball dismissal of Sri Lanka's Marvan Atapattu. To date he has taken 201 first-class wickets in 63 appearances at an average of 27.81, as well as 78 limited-overs wickets at 28.67.

Zondeki will be available for all of Warwickshire's competitions next season, except when Sanath Jayasuriya comes across for the Twenty20 Cup in June.

"I am hugely excited about signing for Warwickshire," said Zondeki. "The opportunity to work under Ashley Giles and bowling coach Allan Donald is one that was too good to refuse. This promises to be a huge year for the Bears and I am looking forward to playing an important role in the upcoming season."

Warwickshire's director of cricket, Ashley Giles, said: "Monde comes highly recommended from South Africa. Myself and AD have had many discussions about world-class bowlers and he rates him as one of the quickest bowlers in South Africa.

"Monde will add pace and experience to our bowling attack and will be a good addition to the squad. I look forward to welcoming to Edgbaston in March."