Kent have bolstered their bowling attack with the return of South Africa left-arm paceman Wayne Parnell.

The 27-year-old played for Kent in two spells in 2009 and will be the county’s overseas player for a spell at the start of the season.

Parnell is available for action in the Specsavers County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup before returning to international duty.

The left-hander from Port Elizabeth said: “I really enjoyed my time at Kent in 2009 when we won Division Two and reached the T20 Finals Day.

“I learned a lot from the experience and I hope to help the side continue their strong start in the County Championship and get off to a flyer in the One Day Cup.

“I look forward to working with Matt Walker, Jason Gillespie and the boys.”

He has played four Tests and 54 one-day internationals for the Proteas as well as five seasons in the Indian Premier League.

Kent chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: “Wayne is an experienced international bowler who will add pace and a new angle to our attack.

“At 27, he still has a point to prove and complements the other bowlers in our unit well.

“Whilst we have a large seam contingent in the squad we want to make sure we keep raising the bar and players of international quality signal that intent.

“We are fiercely ambitious and will continue to strengthen in this way where we believe it is appropriate.”

Parnell is set to make his return for the Specsavers County Championship match on Friday 14 April against Sussex before his home comeback against Derbyshire at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence a week later (11am).