Kent have announced the signing of Faf du Plessis for the run-in of the Vitality Blast.
Du Plessis had been expecting to play in the Euro T20 Slam, but after the tournament’s inaugural season was cancelled, has signed for Kent instead.
He replaces Mohammad Nabi in Kent’s squad, who is on international duty for Afghanistan’s tri-series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
“I really look forward to joining up with Kent for the last part of the Vitality Blast,” said du Plessis. “I will do my best to contribute to the already successful team and hopefully help them to lift a trophy.
“I’ve played with some of the squad members in the past and look forward to joining up with all the guys again.”
Du Plessis has some experience of county cricket, having spent two seasons with Lancashire on a Kolpak deal in 2008 and 2009. He will go straight into the squad to play Gloucestershire on Thursday night and then Essex on Friday, as Kent look to secure qualification to the quarter-finals.
Kent sit third in the South Group, though have stuttered after a strong start, with two abandonments and three defeats in their last five games.
They have recently welcomed captain Sam Billings back into their squad after a serious injury, who shares a dressing room with Faf du Plessis at Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Last season, Billings spoke about taking previous overseas signings Marcus Stoinis and Adam Milne out for breakfast or coffee when on international duty to try and convince them to join the club, and it is entirely possible that he had a similar influence on this deal.
“We’re really excited to be able to bring in a world class player such as Faf for the rest of the Vitality Blast,” said director of cricket Paul Downton.
“He is a world-class batsman and, along with his leadership skills, he will be a major asset to our young side, as we seek to progress to the quarter-finals and beyond in this year’s competition.”