Albie Morkel joins Derbyshire T20 campaign

Derbyshire have signed Albie Morkel, South Africa's Twenty20 specialist, as their second overseas signing for this season's Friends Life t20 competition.

Morkel, 32, who recently completed his sixth Indian Premier League campaign, will feature in nine of Derbyshire's ten T20 fixtures.

Morkel has played league cricket at Leek, a Derbyshire outground, and Derbyshire's head coach, Karl Krikken is confident that has had a bearing on his decision.

"Albie still has some close connections with the area," Krikken said. "I'm sure the strong relationship we have with our pals at Leek Cricket Club has had a bearing on his decision."

Since making his debut in 2005, Morkel has featured in 42 T20 internationals, scoring more than 500 runs at a strike rate of 142.73 and claiming 22 wickets.

His overseas compatriot is less renowned as a T20 specialist. Morkel will team up with Shivnarine Chanderpaul after the West Indies batsman confirmed that he will honour his contractual obligations with Derbyshire and not take part in the Caribbean Premier League.

Morkel said: "I've always enjoyed the challenge of playing in England and, although I initially hadn't considered playing county cricket this season, the timing has worked out well and I am really looking forward to contributing to Derbyshire."