Cricket: Canterbury stacks up imports for T20

Andre Adams. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Canterbury have pushed the boat out for next month's domestic T20 competition, but Auckland and Northern Districts aren't planning to add to their roster.

Canterbury yesterday confirmed another two overseas imports for the HRV Cup, which starts on December 2.

With Australian speedster Shaun Tait and Dutch allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate already signed, Canterbury yesterday revealed former South African fast-medium bowler Johan van der Wath and Durham seamer Mitchell Claydon were also in their squad. The cup winners represent New Zealand at the Champions League late next year. Teams can play two imports a game.

Auckland have signed Hampshire's freescoring opener Jimmy Adams for the cup, with former New Zealand player Andre Adams, now with Nottinghamshire, here for the domestic season.

Jimmy Adams was top scorer across the English equivalent competition, with 668 at 39.29 with a strike rate of 132. And overseas-based Lou Vincent is returning to Auckland after doing a stint last summer. "Lou qualifies as a local so we can play all three players at the same time," Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade said yesterday.

ND have three high-profile current or former internationals coming at various stages - Australians Brad Hodge and David Warner and South African Herschelle Gibbs.

Wellington have former Australian test speedster Brett Lee for the second half of the cup, while Otago have tidy English pros Chris Nash and Darren Stevens. Defending champions Central Districts have former England spinners Mike Yardy and Ian Blackwell.