12:00pm Friday 20th June 2003
WORCESTERSHIRE have boosted their depleted ranks by snapping up all-rounder Justin Kemp and wicketkeeper Steve Adshead.
Kemp's capture is subject to clearance from the United Cricket Board of South Africa.
The County have moved swiftly to bolster their squad due to a crippling injury list and the loss of Vikram Solanki, Kabir Ali and Andrew Hall due to international calls.
The lastest casualty is wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes who suffered a hamstring injury during Worcestershire's Twenty20 Cup defeat against Warwickshire on Wednesday.
He is likely to be out of action for two to three weeks while his deputy James Pipe is still battling to overcome a nasty eye injury which he sustained while batting in the nets.
Adshead is no stranger to New Road having played for the County's second eleven. He scored 141 off 117 balls for them in a Second Eleven Trophy win over Somerset at North Perrott earlier this week. He has also played for Worcestershire Under 19s, Stourbridge and Herefordshire.
The 23-year-old signed for Leicestershire three summers ago before being released last season.
In a bid to concentrate on his batting, Adshead surrendered the wicketkeeping gloves to open the batting for Shropshire this summer as well as playing for Old Hill in the Birmingham League.
New Road director of cricket Tom Moody said today: "Steve deserves this opportunity following his outstanding form with the second eleven in recent weeks."
Kemp is being registered as an overseas replacement player for two Frizzell County Championship division two matches against Glamorgan and Durham and one National League game against Warwickshire.
Moody said: "Justin is one of South Africa's up-and-coming all-rounders and his talents will be very much needed and called upon during the next couple of weeks.
Twenty-five-year-old Kemp, who played for the Worcestershire Cricket Board in a Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy match against the County at New Road earlier this season, has played in three Test matches for South Africa plus 14 one-day internationals.
© Copyright 2001-2013 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/trade_directory/