Gloucestershire sign Clarke on two-game deal

Gloucestershire have signed New Zealand fast bowler Kristian Clarke on a two-match contract.

The 25-year-old will be available for selection for the next two County Championship matches against Northamptonshire and Worcestershire.

He has been capped four times by his country, playing in three one-day internationals and one T20.

It will be the first time Clarke, who represents Northern Districts in New Zealand's first-class competition, the Plunket Shield, has played domestic cricket outside of his homeland.

Gloucestershire director of cricket Jon Lewis told the club website:, external "Kristian is an exciting young all-rounder who's eager to prove himself in English domestic cricket and is a like-for-like replacement for Liam Scott, who is unable to play in these County Championship games as planned due to his call-up for Australia.

"I've been really impressed by what I've seen and heard from coaches in and around the New Zealand set up - he's a strong all-round cricketer with both bat and ball."

Gloucestershire currently sit bottom of County Championship Division Two, having won just one of their six matches so far this season.