Fidel Edwards to play for Hampshire as Kolpak player; ends West Indies career

Fidel Edwards to play for Hampshire as Kolpak player; ends West Indies career

West Indian pace bowler Fidel Edwards has been signed on as Kolpak player to play for Hampshire in the second part of the 2015 County Championship. By joining on as a Kolpak player, Edwards has essentially ended his career with the West Indies, for whom he last played in 2012.

According to Cricinfo, Edwards said, “I’m delighted to have signed for such an ambitious club as Hampshire. I’m very much looking forward to my first taste of county cricket. It’s also an honour to follow other Bajans like Malcolm Marshall and Gordon Greenidge to Hampshire.”

Giles White, director of cricket for Hampshire, said that Edwards will come on board ahead of the Royal London One Day Cup. “Fidel is a good option for us. He arrives ahead of the Royal London One Day Cup and should give our attack variety which we feel is key in the 50-over format. His stay will also extend to Championship cricket and he will be available until the end of the season.”

Edwards was one of West Indies’ fastest bowlers over the last decade, bowling with a slinging action similar to that of Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga. The 33-year-old is veteran of 55 Tests and 50 ODIs. Edwards is the second international player to sign a Kolpak agreement in the last month after Brendan Taylor chose to join Nottinghamshire as a Kolpak player, thereby ending his Zimbabwe career.