Worcestershire sign Edwards

Fidel Edwards © Getty Images

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Worcestershire have signed West Indies pace man Fidel Edwards as their overseas player for the second half of the 2008 campaign.

Edwards will be involved in the Windies' Test series with Australia during the first part of the domestic campaign.

But the 26-year-old will arrive at New Road at the beginning of July and it will end a frustrating search by the county to bolster their pace attack.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes has been unsuccessful this winter in attempts to sign Umar Gul, Ashley Noffke and Shane Bond.

Edwards will complement an already formidable looking pace attack of Simon Jones, Kabir Ali and Matt Mason.

Rhodes said: “We said we would try and act quickly once the Shane Bond deal never materialised and I am delighted to be able to get someone of Fidel's quality.

“This move has been bubbling along for quite a while and he is desperate to come over and make his mark in county cricket in this country.

Edwards will bolster Worcs' seam attack from early July

“The good thing is that when Fidel comes over to England the wickets should be drying out nicely and he will be a danger to all batsmen. He also has that ability to reverse swing the ball.”

Worcestershire have to obtain approval from the West Indies Cricket Board before they can formally complete the signing but Rhodes does not anticipate any problems.

He said: “I understand the West Indies Board are keen for their players to come to England and taste county cricket.”

Edwards has taken 75 wickets in his 30 Test appearances for his country.

Worcestershire are hoping to announce who their overseas player will be for the first half of the season in the next few days.

Rhodes admitted: “Because of the international commitments of players during the current calendar it is now more difficult to sign someone for the whole season. That was an attractive quality about Shane Bond.”