Warwickshire have announced that Shaun Pollock, South Africa's captain, will be their overseas player for the 2002 season. Pollock spent the 1996 season at Edgbaston, but was unable to fill the void left by his compatriot Allan Donald. He started in dramatic fashion, taking four wickets in four balls in his first match (a Benson & Hedges Cup tie against Leicestershire), but in 13 Championship matches he took only 42 wickets. He returned to South Africa before the end of the season after sustaining an ankle injury. The Wisden Almanack reflected that "the level of expectation surrounding Pollock … was misplaced".

Pollock, 28, has played in 58 Tests, scoring 2056 runs (31.63) and taking 237 wickets. His bowling average of 20.55 is the lowest of any bowler with more than 200 Test wickets. He has captained South Africa in 16 Tests, winning eight, drawing six and losing only two.

"I am looking forward to the prospect of playing for the Bears again next year," said Pollock. "I believe that I have substantially more to offer to the club, to the captain, and to the team than I did six years ago."

Warwickshire chief executive Dennis Amiss was equally delighted. "It's great news for Warwickshire that we have been able to secure the services of one of the greatest allrounders in world cricket today, and his international commitments with South Africa are such that he will be available for us from mid-April to mid-September 2002.

"At this stage we are awaiting confirmation of how much cricket Shaun will miss, but we now have the option of bringing in another overseas player to replace him if necessary."

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd