By Richard Wain
The Canterbury Kings have signed retired Australian internationals Ben Hilfenhaus and Shane Watson on short term deals for the upcoming national Twenty20 competition.
Watson will just play in Sunday's opening match against Central Districts in New Plymouth, while Hilfenhaus will not only turn up against the Stags, he's in for the Kings' first six T20 matches.
Canterbury Cricket CEO Lee Germon's hoping 33-year-seam bowler Hilfenhaus, and 35-year-old all-rounder Watson, will add experience to his young squad, as well as bring more people through the gates.
"Ben Hilfenhaus in particular will add a lot of experience and leadership to our group, and Shane Watson played a match for us last year as well and contributed significantly," Germon said.
"So we're looking to attract people to come and watch these guys - that wouldn't have seen a lot of them previously - but we're also looking for them to contribute significantly to us on the park."
Germon's not worried about the Aussie elder statesmen taking any of his local players' places.
"We weigh it up very carefully, we don't just sign anyone, they need to be able to add significant value to our playing group and off the park and these two guys certainly do that.
"We have got a policy of looking after our own Canterbury guys first, but certainly when we get an opportunity to sign two experienced international cricketers like this who will add a lot of value to our current young group, then we would be silly not to do it."
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