Glamorgan sign Nannes

Glamorgan have added Australian seam bowler Dirk Nannes to their attack for their 2013 T20 campaign.

The 36-year-old has vast experience in that form of the game, including 15 appearances for the Aussie national team in T20, and will join compatriot Marcus North as an overseas player.

He was the leading wicket-taker at the 2010 T20 World Cup – finishing off 14 batsmen for just 13 runs each.

“I really enjoy twenty20 cricket and I’ve enjoyed spells in county cricket with English teams before, and around the world,” he said. “I am looking forward to coming over to Wales and playing for Glamorgan this summer. I’d like to think I can share my experience with the lads and be someone who can take crucial wickets for the team.”

Nannes has also represented Holland in the short form of the game, the country of his parent’s birth, and has had successful spells with many sides across the globe.

He represented Middlesex in 2008, Nottinghamshire in 2010 and Surrey (2011-12), and his travels have taken him to Victoria, Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder in Australia, Canterbury in New Zealand, the Delhi Daredevils and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, as well as stints in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and most recently at Sylhet in Bangladesh.

Glamorgan’s head of elite performance Matthew Mott added: “We’re really pleased to welcome Dirk to Glamorgan. He was on the radar for a number clubs and we are very happy to have secured his signature. We were looking for a strike and death bowler because they are like gold dust in T20 cricket.

“Dirk is vastly experienced in this format and a proven performer. With his experience of competitions across the world, he will also provide a great deal of firepower and intimidation to our bowling unit.

“He is still one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, and I am sure he will excite the Welsh public when he comes tearing in for Glamorgan.

“Dirk has also expressed that he would love to be involved with the club and utilise our facilities throughout the year at the SWALEC. This will be invaluable for our bowling group to tap into his vast experience and see how he prepares in the short format.”

Nannes could have had a different sporting career altogether, as during his twenties he was a promising skier. He performed well internationally, and just missed out on selection for the Australian Winter Olympics squad, before switching to cricket.