Pacer Roach signs with Worcestershire

WORCESTER, England (CMC):

West Indies speedster Kemar Roach will get his first taste of the English County circuit over the next month after being signed by struggling Worcestershire until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old right-armer has been called up to replace Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal who returned home this week to join a training camp for the team's tour of Zimbabwe.

Roach, who possesses raw speed and can also swing the ball, has played 12 Tests and 28 one-day internationals since making his debut three years ago and said he was looking forward to the experience at New Road.

"I am delighted to sign for Worcestershire CCC and to be able to play county cricket for the first time. Growing up in Barbados, every young cricketer aspired to play for the West Indies and to play county cricket," the Barbadian said.

"Many of my heroes like (Brian) Lara, (Courtney) Walsh and (Curtly) Ambrose spent time in the county game and I view it as a huge challenge.

"Even though I am only going to be joining for a short period, I believe this stint gives me the chance to make an impact on the club and on county cricket and hopefully be the start of a long relationship with Worcestershire CCC."

Worcestershire's director of cricket, Steve Rhodes said he was expecting Roach to make a difference to the club's attack.

"To have one of the fastest bowlers in the world in our team for the last few games of the season can only be a huge plus factor," Rhodes said.

"Albeit a short stint, I know that Kemar is determined to make an impact on the county scene."

Roach has taken 40 Test wickets at an average of 29.90 and 43 scalps in ODIs but was a shadow of himself with just four wickets in the Pakistan Test series in May and was subsequently dropped for the subsequent three-Test India series.

Worcestershire are third from the bottom of the Division One tables in the championship and are rock bottom in the Clydesdale Bank 40 limited overs tournament.