Vasbert Drakes set to join Leicestershire

West Indies fast bowling all-rounder Vasbert Drakes is set to replace Virender Sehwag at Leicestershire for the remainder of the English County season, according to a BBC report.

Drakes, who has previously played for Sussex, Notting-hamshire and War-wickshire, is expected to sign a contract with the Leicestershire Foxes “within the next 24 hours.” Drakes’ move to Leicestershire for the rest of this season is not expected to clash with his participation in the Red Stripe Bowl in the Caribbean, which begins in the first week of October. Leicestershire plays its last game this year on September 20.

The 33-year-old Drakes, a relative newcomer to Test cricket, is a seasoned campaigner on the first class circuit. In addition to playing for three English Counties, he has also been a bigtime contributor for South Africa’s Border Bears. In 151 First Class games, Drakes has scored 4,429 runs (avg 21.29) with a top score of 180. He counts 580 wickets (avg 25.56) with a best haul of 8-59. He has played seven Tests and 30 ODIs for the senior West Indies side and is expected to be among a select group to be contracted to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Those contracts are expected to take effect from October 1.