Warwickshire have offered a contract to the 27-year-old South African Paul Harris. The club has agreed a deal for the remainder of this season and for the 2007 season.

Harris, a slow left-arm bowler, trialled with the Warwickshire 2nd XI last month whilst over in England playing for the Lancashire League Club Fleetwood. Paul has played first-class cricket in South Africa for the Northerns, Titans and Western Province.

He said: “It was a very big decision but I am sure I have made the right one for my future and I look forward to playing for the Club for a long time.”

Warwickshire's director of coaching, Mark Greatbatch, said: “ Due to the exceptional circumstances of the season so far with the injury to Dan Vettori and Nick James in addition to Alex Loudon being called up for England duty we have done a lot of research into a suitable replacement. Paul is a very experienced player and will add value and depth to the current squad.”