Michael Bevan has agreed to join Leicestershire as their overseas player for the 2002 season. He has signed a one-year contract with the county, and replaces Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi.

Bevan has plenty of experience of English county cricket, having previously played for both Yorkshire and Sussex. Leicestershire hope he will be able to help the county to one-day success in the forthcoming season.

Phil Whitticase, the new head coach, said: "I regard Bevan as the best one-day batsman in the world and in view of how close we came to winning two one-day trophies last season I think he can take us that one step further.

"A lot of discussions have taken place about who our overseas player should be and we are sure that Bevan fits the bill and will pass on to our younger players his wealth of experience. We see him as a major contributor in all four domestic competitions."

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