Vincent heads Sussex arrivals

Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman, is the most widely known of the Sussex three new signings announced today

Sussex have bolstered their squad for the 2011 season by bringing in three overseas imports.

Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman, Pakistani left-arm seamer Naved Arif and South African Under-19 all-rounder Kirk Wernars have agreed one-year deals - subject to ECB clearance. Neither player will be classed as an overseas signing.

Thirty-two-year-old Vincent, who played 23 Tests and 102 one-day internationals between 2001 and 2007, is soon to be granted a British passport and Sussex expect him to be available - primarily for one-day cricket - from May onwards.

Sussex will become his fourth English county following spells with Worcestershire, Lancashire and, briefly last summer, Northamptonshire.

Arif, 29, has represented Pakistan A but intends to qualify under EU law through his Danish wife. He has taken 145 wickets at 23.27 apiece in 30 first-class matches in his homeland and has experience of English conditions from his time in the Lancashire League.

Wernars, a 19-year-old who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm seam, plays South African domestic cricket for Western Province.

Although he lined up against Sussex for the Cape Cobras Emerging Players on last year’s pre-season trip to Dubai, he qualifies through a Dutch passport.

Professional cricket manager Mark Robinson, who is still searching for a second overseas player for the Friends Provident t20, said: “They’re all very exciting signings.

“Lou is of course an experienced international batsman who can turn a game in his own right, and he’s a brilliant fielder. He’s on an initial one-day contract but will cover the four-day team when needed.

“Naved is a late developer, and with his background in Pakistan he’s had to do it the tough way. His record out there on unhelpful wickets is outstanding and he’s got the potential to change games.

“We’ve had many good reports about Kirk over the winter through our South African connections. He’s a lad with promise and a genuine all-rounder. He hits the ball hard and can open the bowling as well, which will give us more options.

“It’s been a long winter getting the squad together but I’m happy that we have the players we want on two- or three-year contracts and that we have also strengthened the squad.

“Our priority all winter has been to strengthen the bowling and ideally bring in an all-rounder as well. To do that and to be able to bring a proven match-winner like Lou is exciting and sets us up nicely for the summer.”

Pakistan seamer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan will fulfil overseas duties at the PROBIZ County Ground for the first half of the season, before being replaced by South Africa pace bowler Wayne Parnell.