Kent re-sign Hardus Viljoen for T20 Blast

The Spitfires enlist the South African for the competition but he will not count as an overseas player

Kent have confirmed the return of Hardus Viljoen for the T20 Blast starting next month.

The 30-year-old spent a season with the Spitfires in 2016 before spending two years with Derbyshire.

Right-arm seamer Viljoen has since been parading himself around a host of domestic 20-over competitions, playing for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League.

“I feel that I played some of the best cricket of my career when I was at Kent in 2016 and I’m excited to have the opportunity to play in front of the passionate supporters here again this season," he said.

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"Although there will be some familiar faces for me coming back, I’m excited to work with this young and talented squad that got to the quarterfinals last year.”

Kent Cricket’s director of cricket, Paul Downton, added: “Hardus’ skills and experience give us an extra dimension with the ball and I feel that we have a very competitive bowling attack for this competition. 

"Together with the rest of the squad, including our other Vitality Blast signings Adam Milne and Mohammad Nabi, I believe that we can go into any game in this tournament with the confidence that we can take wickets.”

The Canterbury county begin their Vitality Blast campaign against Somerset on July 20.

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