 Henderson has an excellent record at first-class level |
Leicestershire have increased their options ahead of the county season by signing two former Test players. South African spinner Claude Henderson and West Indian pace bowler Ottis Gibson have agreed two-year deals.
"Having forfeited my right to play in South Africa, I am grateful for the opportunity to play first-class cricket in England," said Henderson.
Gibson, 34, will also act as the team's bowling coach, having worked as an ECB regional coach since 2001.
"Leicestershire, with their recent restructuing, is the perfect club to join as I sense a real desire for improvement.
"I aim to help from the grass roots to the professional game," he told the club's official website.
The signing of 31 year-old Henderson is, however, likely to be more significant as far as the first team is concerned.
He has taken 430 first-class wickets and 161 in one-day cricket for Western Province and won the last of his seven Test caps as recently as October 2002.
Leicestershire lacked a wicket-taking slow bowler last summer, with off-spinner Jeremy Snape managing only 10 Championship victims in 15 matches.
Henderson is eligible as a non-overseas player because South Africa has an associate agreement with the European Union. He is the first player to benefit directly from a recent judgement in the case of Slovakian handball player Maros Kolpak, who won the right to play in Germany without being classed as a foreigner.
Gibson's case is more straightforward as he is now resident in the UK and has applied for citizenship.
MMIX
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