Kent sign Scotland bowler Dewald Nel

By Oliver Brett

Nel will return to county cricket for the first time since 2007

Kent have signed Scotland seam bowler Dewald Nel on a two-year contract after the 29-year-old impressed during a recent trial.

South African-born Nel, a veteran of 18 one-day internationals, played one season at Worcestershire in 2007.

Kent team director Paul Farbrace said: "We are delighted to sign a bowler of Dewald's quality and experience."

Farbrace told BBC Sport he is also in negotiations with one other player to fill in before Malinga Bandara arrives.

The Sri Lanka spinner first becomes available for Kent on 20 May.

While a number of counties will be taking advantage of a new rule permitting them to field two overseas players in the new expanded Twenty20 competition starting in June, Bandara is expected to saddle that burden on his own.

Kent, who return to Division One of the County Championship in 2010 after topping the lower tier last term, have a tight budget after posting record debts in excess of £800,000 for 2009.

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And Farbrace revealed that although feelers had been put out to some high-profile players for Twenty20 deals their financial demands were too steep.

"Unless we find someone who fits our bill and and can accept the right package then we'll probably just go with Bandara," he said.

"We've spoken to a few people but their demands are not realistic and there's also all the work permits and visas to consider."

Farbrace, whose past spell as Sri Lanka's assistant coach ensures he has excellent contacts there, confirmed the early-season stand-in for Bandara was not a Sri Lankan, but was an Indian Premier League player.

A deal to secure fast bowler Stuart Clark fell through because of the Australian's fitness problems, and it is likely whoever does fill the breach will also be a seamer.

We are short of bowling resources

Paul Farbrace

But with the IPL final on 25 April, Kent are likely to be without an overseas player for their first two Championship fixtures.

The signing of Nel does at least fill a hole in a seam-bowling department feeling the loss of Ryan McLaren and Martin Saggers.

"We are short of bowling resources," said Farbrace.

"Dewald is a very consistent performer and bowls at a good pace for county cricket. We know what we can get from him.

"He's had a few days with us and we're hoping that we can get something sorted."

Scotland head coach Peter Steindl added: "We are delighted that Dewald has earned a second chance to play county cricket and believe that in the long run this will benefit Scotland.

He continued: "We have been impressed at the open and honest way Paul Farbrace and Kent have approached this deal, and will now look to build a mutually-beneficial relationship which will help Dewald become a major player for Kent and Scotland."