Cricket: CD sign England international

Mike Yardy. Photo / Getty Images

Central Districts have secured the services of English one-day international Mike Yardy as they look to defend their Twenty20 domestic cricket title.

Former English international Ian Blackwell has also been signed, Central Districts chief executive Hugh Henderson said today.

Ross Taylor's participation for Central is likely to be limited through his involvement with the Black Caps, and injury has ruled out Graham Napier.

As Jacob Oram's return from knee surgery is likely to rule him out for the early stages, Central Districts have recruited two all-rounders to bolster their ranks.

"We learnt a lot through our participation in the Champions League in September,and this experience definitely shaped our thinking around who we would contract," Henderson said.

"Both players bring a wealth of experience, particularly in the shorter format of the game."

Yardy, 29, has been a regular member of the England one-day and Twenty20 sides over the past 12 months while 32-year-old Blackwell is a hard-hitting batsman and slow left arm bowler.

Central Districts coach Alan Hunt welcomed the additions.

"We saw first-hand in the Champions League the value of two spinners working in tandem through the middle of an innings.

"In securing two players that can fulfil that role, as well as being powerful top order batsman, I think that we have an ideal balance to our side."

Both Yardy and Blackwell will be with Central for the duration of the Twenty20 schedule, with the first game being against Northern Districts on December 2.

- NZPA