Dutch seamer Paul van Meekeren joins Gloucestershire

Van Meekeren, who will be the county’s first Dutch player, is set to be available in all formats for the next two seasons

Dutch seamer Paul van Meekeren has joined Gloucestershire on a two-year deal.

The seamer, who featured once for the Netherlands at the T20 World Cup, has previous county experience having previously represented Somerset and Durham, for whom he turned out through this summer in white-ball cricket, playing a key role in their run to the Royal London Cup final.

His success in that competition earned him a deal in the Caribbean Premier League with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, a year after he spent his winter working for Uber Eats after the T20 World Cup was postponed due to the pandemic.

Van Meekeren, who will be the county’s first Dutch player, said: “I’m very happy to join the club at a time when it’s moving forward on and off the field. I’m ready to hit the ground running and can’t wait to join up with the squad next week.

“Gloucestershire have had an exciting couple of years and hopefully I can contribute to a new era of success. It would be an honour to help this club bring home a trophy and with the support of a packed Bristol County Ground, I’m confident we’ll be in the hunt for silverware.”

Gloucestershire interim head coach Ian Harvey added: “Paul brings bags of experience to the club and provides the squad with extra strength in depth, for what will be another intensely competitive season next year.

“As a player with international experience under his belt, we’re excited to have Paul onboard and expect him to thrive in front of a packed Bristol County Ground.”

The 28-year-old will be available to play in all formats in 2022 and 2023.

Last July, van Meekeren obtained his ‘settled status’ after spending five years in the UK. He can apply for British citizenship in July 2022. If successful, he will become English-qualified, which would assist Gloucestershire; there are financial incentives for clubs who meet a quota of English-qualified players.

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