Cricket: Zimbabwe bowler joins CD

Kyle Jarvis is in the Central Districts squad to face Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield. Photo / Getty Images

Central Districts have signed Kyle Jarvis for the remainder of the Plunket Shield season and the Zimbabwe pace bowler has been included in the squad to take on Northern Districts in Gisborne starting on Friday.

The rest of the Zimbabwe side are due to return home today (Wed) after their last-over five-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the second Twenty20 international in Hamilton last night but with CD's bowling stocks having been seriously depleted over the season coach Alan Hunt moved to recruit Jarvis.

"Of the bowlers contracted at the start of the season, we have had Doug Bracewell selected in the Black Caps, Adam Milne and Ben Wheeler needing to see specialists to determine whether they can bowl again this season, and Michael Mason only ever available for short-form cricket," Hunt said.

"While we still have depth and confidence in the remaining bowlers to perform, it would have been a huge ask of them to have played six four-day games in a row. We identified Kyle as someone that could step in and do a real job for us and were delighted when he accepted our invitation."

All Zimbabwe's bowlers came in for some treatment during the series with New Zealand but Jarvis looked decent at times.

He collected nine wickets throughout the series (one test, three one-day internationals, two Twenty20 internationals) including 2 for 35 in the final outing in Hamilton. The 22-year-old, he turns 23 tomorrow (Thurs), bowls with good pace but can lack control.

"It is very exciting to have the opportunity to stay on in New Zealand and play some more first-class cricket." Jarvis said. "The Plunket Shield is a very tough competition and I am sure that I will learn a lot from the experience. With the Stags having just won the Ford Trophy, they are playing great cricket and I am looking forward to making a real contribution as they chase another title".

Central Districts are third on the Plunket Shield table and play the competition-leading Northern Knights in Gisborne on Friday.

Central Districts squad to play Northern Districts: Jamie How (c), Carl Cachopa, Kyle Jarvis, Tarun Nethula, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Dean Robinson, Mathew Sinclair, Bevan Small, Steven Smidt, Ben Smith, Kruger van Wyk, Daniel Wightman.