Kruger signs for Leicestershire
Garnett Kruger © Getty Images
Leicestershire have given South African paceman Garnett Kruger the chance to make a name for himself in county cricket - three years after he was lined up to join them as an overseas player.
The 30-year-old from Cape Province has moved to Grace Road on a Kolpak agreement following the departure of fellow South African Charl Langeveldt as senior coach Tim Boon endeavours to strengthen his squad.
Kruger is the second Kolpak signing in the space of a week after South African batsman Arno Jacobs joined the club on a similar agreement.
It means that Boon still has the option to bring in a second overseas player to occupy the position which was originally filled by Indian seamer RP Singh before Langeveldt stepped in as a temporary replacement.
Leicestershire had hoped to retain the services as Langeveldt, but his commitments to a league club have led to his departure.
Charl Langeveldt did a good job for Leics © Getty Images
"Not only did Charl do a good job for us, he was also a great influence on the younger bowlers around him," explained Boon. "But he had a contract with Netherfield and he has to honour that agreement now.
"We are looking to Garnett to come in and do a similar job for us over the next couple of months, at which point we will review the situation.
"He is very eager to take up this chance in county cricket, especially as he was lined up to play for Leicestershire three years ago but then had to pull out at the last minute due to an injury problem."
He added: "The fact that we have brought him in on a Kolpak deal means that we have the option to bring in another overseas player and there may be developments on that front in the coming weeks."
Kruger has played three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international for South Africa and he has claimed 225 first-class wickets in his career playing for Eastern Province, Gauteng and Lions.
Boon is looking at the prospect of having a more experienced attack at his disposal in the coming weeks with Stuart Broad and David Masters ready to return and Claude Henderson available again.
