Canterbury sign Ryan ten Doeschate for Twenty20

Netherlands allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate is fast becoming a globe-trotting Twenty20 freelancer. Shortly after he signed with Tasmania for the Big Bash in 2010-11, Canterbury Wizards have also snapped him up for New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 competition in the coming season.

"Ryan is not a name signing as such, but he is a player Bob Carter [Canterbury's coach] identified early on who had the skill set we are looking for," Canterbury's chief executive, Lee Germon, said. "It fitted in quite nicely as Tasmania were also talking to Ryan the same time we were, and we have worked out an arrangement where he can play for both."

Ten Doeschate has been an effective allrounder for English county, Essex, and is likely to bat in the top order and bowl four overs of medium pace for Canterbury. He led the batting averages for Essex in the Friends Provident t20 this year, making 296 runs in six matches at an average of 59.20. He also had the best economy-rate for his side, conceding 6.81 runs an over, though he bowled only 11 overs.

Canterbury are also keen on signing Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait as their second Twenty20 import and are awaiting final clearance from Cricket Australia. "[2011] Being a World Cup year Cricket Australia will have a big say on how he [Tait] is to be managed," Germon said. ""If he [Tait] could only play one or two games [for Canterbury] then we might have to look around for another import."

New Zealand domestic sides are allowed to field only two overseas players in their Twenty20 domestic competition, but there is no limit on how many can be on the team's roster.