Warwickshire sign Vettori

Warwickshire have signed Daniel Vettori for the 2006 season and are now just waiting on written approval from the New Zealand Cricket Union, which they say is a formality. Vettori will be available from May 10, following New Zealand's Test series in South Africa.

Talks had been going on throughout the week, with Vettori reportedly also speaking to other counties including Surrey, but he will now join Heath Streak as Warwickshire's second overseas player for next summer.

Mark Greatbach, Warwickshire's director of coaching and the former New Zealand batsman, said: ""We are delighted that Daniel will be joining us next season as he gives our spin bowling department greater strength and thus our overall bowling unit the variation that is needed to compete and win matches in all forms of the game. Another exciting aspect of his signing is that Daniel has offered to help our younger spinners develop their own skills while he is with us."

Vettori, who played two matches for Nottinghamshire in 2003, says the presence of Greatbach was a key in his decision to come to Edgbaston. " It looks to be a pretty strong set up at Warwickshire and I'm really looking forward to playing my part in what will hopefully be another successful season.

"Some of the guys here have played quite a bit of county cricket and a full season is something I've wanted to do for a while. I have been flattered by the interest in me over the past couple of months, but the prospect of working with Mark Greatbatch was ultimately the biggest pull."