ESSEX have signed New Zealand World Cup star Tim Southee for the upcoming Friends Life t20 campaign.
The capture of the 22-year-old right-hand medium-fast bowler is subject to formal approval from the New Zealand Cricket Board and him obtaining the necessary working visa.
Southee, currently playing in the Indian Premier League with the Chennai Super Kings, was the third-highest wicket-taker at the recent ICC Cricket World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Essex head coach Paul Grayson said: "His experience will be great for the team.
"He has had an excellent 18 months with New Zealand so it is going to be exciting to see him join up with the rest of the lads.
"He has shown on the biggest stage that he is great with the white ball, but is also able to give it a strike down the batting order."
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