Surrey snap up Nannes

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Australia Twenty20 international Dirk Nannes, pictured, has replaced fellow fast bowler Shaun Tait in Surrey's Friends Life t20 squad

Surrey have signed the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket, Dirk Nannes, for this season’s Friends Life t20 competition.

The 35-year-old has taken 134 wickets in the format and and has competed in two ICC World Twenty20 competitions - for the Netherlands in 2009 and for Australia a year later.

Nannes replaces fellow fast bowler and compatriot Shaun Tait, who withdrew from the Surrey squad after raising concern over his ability ‘to withstand the rigours of a 16-game programme’.

The left-arm seamer is Surrey’s second overseas player alongside Pakistan’s Yasir Arafat and is scheduled to make his debut against Gloucestershire on June 2.

Nannes, who resides in the UK, said: “I’m really excited to be playing for a big club like the Surrey Lions at such a historic ground. I’ve always enjoyed my time playing in England – and the Friends Life t20 throws up a very different challenge to other competitions around the world.

“I’ve now moved to the UK on a full-time basis and hope this is the first of many years for me in the FLt20.”

Surrey professional cricket manager Chris Adams added: “Signing a player of Dirk Nannes’ undoubted skill and ability is a great boost to our Friends Life t20 campaign.

“So far this season we have a 100% record in one-day cricket and securing the leading wicket-taker in the history of this format – at such short notice – will give us a great chance in this competition.”