By David Williams
Welsh Fire have extended their deal with Jimmy Neesham after suffering a double blow over that will deny them of both Lungi Ngidi and Liam Plunkett for the remainder of their Hundred campaign.
South African Ngidi, 25, has returned home for personal reasons without having played a game, while former England bowler Plukett has been ruled out through injury.
That has forced a re-think for the Fire – and for Neesham – with the New Zealand all-rounder now extending his deal for the rest of the inaugural tournament.
Neesham was due to play for Essex for the remainder of the Royal London Cup, but has agreed an extension with the Fire and is available for the Invincibles fixture at the Oval on Monday night.
The Fire have also recruited two domestic players as replacements. Matt Milnes, the Kent seamer, has replaced Plunkett, while Northamptonshire’s left-arm spinner Graeme White has been brought in with Jonny Bairstow on England Test duty as the Fire look to re-balance their squad.
Both players are available for the fixture against the Invincibles.
The Fire won their first two games of the competition, beating the Superchargers and the Brave, but were beaten in their first game without Bairstow, at home to Manchester Originals on Saturday.