October 04 Friday 2002
Somerset snap up West Indies paceman McLean

LONDON: English county Somerset have signed up Natal's former West Indies fast bowler Nixon McLean as their second overseas player for next summer's campaign.

The 29-year-old from St Vincent has played 19 Tests and 44 one-day internationals, but is currently out of favour and has been playing in South Africa with KwaZulu-Natal. 

The arrival of McLean will give Somerset a three-pronged pace attack alongside England's Andy Caddick and Richard Johnson as the county seeks to secure promotion back to the top flight of English cricket following relegation this season. 

McLean played for Hampshire in 1998 and 1999, where he claimed over 100 County Championship wickets. 

Caddick has been handed a central England contract next season, but Anderson hopes the paceman will still play an active part in Somerset's summer. 

He added: "With Andrew getting a 12-month contract, and following an arduous winter tour to Australia and the 2003 World Cup in South Africa it may well be that he will be available for a large part of the season as England ring the changes." 

Somerset's other overseas player for 2003 is Tasmanian batsman Jamie Cox and the county have also confirmed Michael Burns will replace Cox as captain next season.