Nel to rejoin Essex

Andre Nel is set to play during the first month of the season

Essex have agreed a deal with Andre Nel to precede Danish Kaneria as their overseas player this year.

South Africa seamer Nel could join up with Essex in time for their opening LV County Championship fixture against Northants on April 16 - subject to the receipt of a work permit and formal permission from Cricket South Africa.

However, his arrival could be delayed until the end of the month should his current side Nashua Titans reach the final of the Standard Bank Pro20 Series on April 25.

He will depart on May 18, with Pakistan leg-spinner Kaneria returning for his fourth spell at the club three days later.

Nel, 30, enjoyed two short stints with Essex in 2005 and 2007, taking 14 wickets.

He said: “I am delighted to be returning to Essex for the beginning of the season.

“I enjoyed my time at the club in 2007 immensely and can’t wait to rejoin the boys for the first game. I look forward to giving my all in an early season burst for the club.”

Danish Kaneria will join up with Essex team-mates in mid-May

First-team Coach Paul Grayson said: “Danish wanted a bit of time at home with his family, which means he misses the first month of the season, and we respect that.

“We’ve got a terrific replacement in Andre Nel, although we are unsure as to how long he will be available to us at the moment.

“This will be Andre’s third spell with us and he’s proved a very popular character in our dressing room, who is comfortable in our environment.

“Everyone at Essex is delighted he is coming back and we look forward to him making a positive impact while he is here.”

Chief executive David East added: “Although we had already contracted Danish Kaneria for the 2008 season he asked us if he could delay his arrival in the UK so that he could be with his wife for the birth of their second child.

“Naturally we agreed to this request and are delighted that Andre has agreed to play for us for the important opening month of the season.

“Andre is well known to us and has a fantastic rapport with our players. Subject to his domestic cricket commitments he ensures that we have a world-class overseas bowler for the whole of our 2008 campaign.”