Collins signs for Surrey

9 October 2007

Pedro Collins © Getty Images

Surrey have bolstered their seam bowling attack with the signing of West Indian fast bowler Pedro Collins on a two-year contract as a Kolpak player.

Collins is a 31-year-old left-arm seamer with a wealth of experience at the highest level. He has played 32 Tests for West Indies, taking 106 wickets at an average of 34.63.

He has also played 45 first-class matches for native country Barbados, for whom he has picked up 167 wickets at an average of 19.54.

Collins recently returned home having been a part of the West Indies squad that travelled to South Africa for the ICC World Twenty20.

He is now preparing for the domestic season in the West Indies, which gets under way on 17 October.

Surrey cricket manager Alan Butcher said: “We have been looking for a quality left arm seamer and Pedro fits the bill perfectly.

"He is a proven performer at Test and first-class level and will add variety to our attack.

“The captain (Mark Butcher) thinks he was the West Indies’ best bowler on England's last tour of the Caribbean and respected critics of the game feel he should have toured England this summer.”