Harry Solomon, the new Ivybridge captain

A DIVISION side Ivybridge are close to finalising the signing of Zimbabwe A batter Charles Kunje as a replacement for the departed Jeewan de Silva.

Kunje, who will be 24 in May, plays domestic cricket for Tuskers. Having played for Zimbabwe in U17s and U19s he made his first class debut for Southern Rocks in 2013-14 season. 

Jeewan de SilvaHe played in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup in Abu Dhabi in the same team as future Bovey Tracey batsman Malcolm Lake. Last summer he played in Scotland.

Another player on his way to Ivybridge, where Harry Solomon is the new skipper is James Sharp, who was with Plymouth CS&R.

Brixham’s overseas player for 2018 also played in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup in Abu Dhabi and ran into Kunje in the Group C game between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Dirk Bruwer – Driaan to his friends – is an opening batsman and off-spin bowler.

South African domestic cricket can be difficult to keep tabs on as there are numerous formats and competitions.

In First Class cricket Bruwer featured for Northern Cape last season and Free State the season before. He has also played for University of the Free State, Knights Academy, South African Schools and Northerns U19s.

Last season he played for Linden Park in the Kent First Division, smacking 566 runs in 16 hits at an average of 40.02. There were 20 wickets at 21.90 each.

Dan Bullock, a leg-spinning all-rounder from Stoke Gabriel, is also on the way to Boundary Park this season.

Brixham are currently netting on Thursdays (8-9.30pm) at Paignton College.

Chudleigh have no ins or outs to report yet as the expected return of Matt Ball to Kate Brook from Plymstock has been delayed.

Chudleigh, where Matt Heather is the new captain, are in the nets every Sunday (10.00 am-11.30am) at Teignmouth Community College.