Glamorgan Cricket today confirmed that Australian quick bowler Michael Kasprowicz has been signed to play for the county for the 2002 season on a one-year contract.

Kasprowicz, 30, has played in 17 Test matches and 16 One-Day Internationals for Australia and will be available for the county for the whole season. He is currently playing for Queensland in the Pura Milk Cup Final.

Glamorgan Captain Steve James said: "We're delighted to have recruited a player of Michael's quality and we look forward to him joining up with us in mid-April. He has been a consistently solid performer in first class cricket, both in Australia, where he is again amongst the leading wicket takers this season, and also in county cricket, when he played for Essex and Leicestershire.

"It was important to us that he was available for the whole season and the fact that he has a good track record in terms of fitness and can also bat effectively as well is a bonus. Like David Hemp, our other main signing this winter, I think he'll prove to be an excellent acquisition and I'm very happy to be welcoming him on board."

Glamorgan Chief Executive Mike Fatkin said: "Naturally we're pleased to be able to confirm our overseas player for the summer. There has been a great deal of speculation over the past couple of months and we seem to have been linked with any number of potential signings but having decided on Michael the details were sorted out pretty quickly.

"It's proving difficult for a number of counties now that there is so much cricket taking place that clashes with our domestic season, one of the reasons why it's taken until now to confirm everything. It's good to know that his Queensland team mate Jimmy Maher, who played for us last year, gave the Club such a glowing reference and I know Michael is anticipating an enjoyable and successful season with Glamorgan."

The Glamorgan players are due to travel to Cape Town for their pre-season practice next Thursday, March 28th, returning on 12th April. Their first match is against Derbyshire at Sophia Gardens on 19th April.

© Glamorgan CCC