Louw rejoins Northants

Johann Louw © Getty Images

Northamptonshire have re-signed South African Johann Louw as their overseas player for the 2008 season.

The seamer returns after a four-year absence as Northants attempt to bolster their squad following the failure to register compatriots Andrew Hall and Johann van der Wath.

Louw, who turns 29 next month, left Wantage Road in 2005 after two successful seasons as a Kolpak player.

He joined Middlesex in 2006, but his decision to resume playing South African domestic cricket means he is now classed as an overseas player.

Northants’ player of the year in 2004, Louw will arrive at the end of April to supplement a squad that also contains Nicky Boje, the former South Africa left-arm spinner who now qualifies under the Kolpak ruling.

“I have enjoyed my best cricket years at Northants and I am looking forward to playing there again,” said Louw, who has taken 41 first-class wickets at an average of 18 for Nashua Dolphins this winter.

“Hopefully we can achieve what the club has being working towards and personally it will be great to be under the watchful eye of David Capel.

“I am very excited about the season and can’t wait to join the squad.”

Louw will miss the first two LV County Championship matches and the opening two Friends Provident Trophy encounters of the season.

Coach Capel said: “We are fortunate that we have been able to attract a player of Johann’s quality back to the club at this late stage of preparation.

“We needed to reinforce our seam bowling department and he will be a welcome addition to our squad.

“He has expressed to me how excited he is about returning to us and I feel that he is capable of matching his best season for us when he took in excess of 60 first-class wickets.

“He has obviously been in good form during the South African domestic season, which he will be looking forward to continuing when he joins us at the end of April.”