Kane Williamson Signs For Gloucestershire

Kane Williamson Signs For Gloucestershire

Kane Williamson will be Gloucestershire overseas player throughout the 2011 season

©REUTERS/Nigel Marple (NEW ZEALAND - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson has signed a one-year contract to play for Gloucestershire as their overseas player for the 2011 season.

The 20-year-old is currently at the World Cup with the Black Caps and is set for his first stint in county cricket having impressed in international cricket.

"I am really excited to have signed with Gloucestershire for this season. It is a great opportunity and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead," Williamson told Gloucestershire's official website (www.gloscricket.com).

Director of cricket John Bracewell commented: "The coaching and playing staff have been aware of the proposed signing of Kane for a while now and we are delighted to be able to finally announce it.

"Kane brings his youth and a supposed lack of experience but I can assure Gloucestershire supporters that not only does his early international record (scoring a century on his test debut) indicate great talent but I am aware of his work ethic and personal drive to not just be a good international cricketer but a great one.

"He is the type of player from the Mike Hussey mould; driven to succeed through hard work and dedication and will be a great example not only to our younger players but also to some of our more senior batsmen, who are yet to fulfill their potential."

Williamson made his first-class debut in the 2006/7 season for Northern Districts, going on to play for New Zealand Under-19s, leading the side at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

He made his Test debut against India in Ahmedabad in 2010, scoring 131 in the first innings, going on to play four more Test matches and 11 One-Day Internationals to date, resulting in a call-up to New Zealand's 15-man World Cup squad.

Williamson will be available for all competitions and will join forces with Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for the Twenty20 Cup.

© Cricket World 2011