Ganguly joins Glamorgan

India captain Sourav Ganguly was picked up as the second overseas player by Eglish county Glamorgan ahead of fellow Indian VVS Laxman and Western Australia opener Chris Rogers. Australia's Matthew Elliot is the other foreign player in ther ranks.

Ganguly, 31, who is due to make his county championship debut at home to Sussex next Wednesday, was suspended for six one-day internationals because of India's slow over rate against Pakistan.

If the ban is upheld he will be available to play for the county until the middle of August.

"We're delighted to have secured Saurav's services," said Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin.

"It appears he has been given leave to miss the Indian training camp in July, something we're expecting written confirmation on shortly, and although we are signing him on the basis of him being available until the end of July there is a strong chance that he will be with us for longer.

Fatkin added that Ganguly's inclusion would boost the confidence of the county's captain coach and players.

"It will not only help the team but as one of the leading names in world cricket he will prove an attractive draw for our members and supporters," Fatkin said.

Having lost all the games, the Welsh county sit at the bottom of the Frizzell County Championship Division One table

Ganguly's signing has also been welcomed by Glamorgan captain Robert Croft.

"This is great news for the club and comes at a good time," he said.

"We've had a difficult start to the season and although we felt it was important to look at some of the younger players in the early matches we are anticipating that Matthew Maynard will be retiring to take up a position with the ECB and we felt we had to act to strengthen the side in his absence.

"We wanted to sign someone who not only has a proven track record but who will be looked up to in the dressing room. Sourav will be a great asset to the team and we're looking forward to playing with him."