Has Greenidge's time arrived? (From Gazette Series)

Has Greenidge's time arrived?

GLOUCESTERSHIRE CCC have completed their third signing of the winter with the recruitment of paceman Carl Greenidge on a two-year contract.

The former Surrey and Northamptonshire bowler was unveiled at the County Ground at the weekend, and his transfer represents another interesting move by head coach Mark Alleyne.

Top order batsman Kadeer Ali and former Yorkshire fast bowler Steve Kirby have already joined Gloucestershire since the end of the season, and Alleyne has now stated that he intends to bring in one more overseas player ahead of the 2005 campaign.

Basingstoke-born Greenidge, 26, has struggled to hold down a first team place throughout his professional career, spending two seasons at Surrey and then three years at Northamptonshire but unable to claim a regular starting berth at either club.

The son of legendary West Indies star Gordon Greenidge, he was something of a child prodigy in his early years, and was rated as a star of the future while in his teens. However, he has yet to really make his mark in the county game despite showing flashes of his undoubted athleticism and skill when bowling at pace. Gloucestershire will hope that Greenidge finally fulfills his potential within their bowling unit, which is watched over by former pace ace Stuart Barnes, now a coach at the County Ground.

Greenidge's bowling figures are certainly fair. He has taken 97 first-class wickets in 32 matches at 35 apiece and 53 wickets at one-day level at 36 apiece. On his arrival at the club, Greenidge said: "I am very happy to be joining such a prestigious club as Gloucestershire and I hope that both the club and I will be successful in the future.

"I am really looking forward to moving down to Bristol and getting started." Head coach Alleyne added: "I am looking forward to Carl joining what is already a successful bowling unit.

"It is a unit that can help us maintain the momentum which we have built up over the years. Carl's bowling skill and athleticism will compliment the rest of the team very well."

With Greenidge, Ali and Kirby all joining the club this winter, Alleyne appears to be reshaping the side as he settles into his second year in the post. With another overseas player seemingly on the way, the shopping has not ended just yet, with Alleyne keen to form a new-look squad for 2005 and what he hopes will be another successful term.