Hampshire have cushioned the blow of Jackson Bird returning home to Australia with the early arrival of West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards.
The county announced on Monday that Australia international Bird’s shoulder injury is worse than expected, and at that point Hampshire revealed they hoped to bring Edwards to the club earlier than he was due to arrive.
Edwards, who last played for West Indies in 2012, was set to link up with the club in late July but will now be available for selection for Hampshire’s Twenty20 friendly against Dorset this Monday.
The 33-year-old Kolpak player, who played in 55 Tests and 70 limited-overs internationals for the Windies, will be available in all formats.
In one of his finest international performances Edwards took 6-92 in the May 2012 Test against England at Lord’s.
More recently, Edwards blew away the Nottinghamshire top and middle order to finish with figures of 8-40 during a friendly for the Combined Campuses and Colleges in March this year.