Hamilton, March 20 NZPA - New Zealand cricketer Iain O'Brien has signed a short-term deal with English county Leicestershire.

The county confirmed the deal as the fast bowler was playing in the first test against India here at Seddon Park, which enters its third day today.

O'Brien, who bowled Rahul Dravid for 66 during India's first innings yesterday, heads to England after the third test against India ends in Wel lington on April 7.

He is contracted to the end of July although he will be excused briefly if selected in New Zealand's squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June.

"We wanted a senior bowler and he fits the bill," Leicestershire chief executive David Smith told the cricinfo website.

O'Brien, 32, has been a late bloomer on the international scene, with the match in Hamilton marking just his 15th test.

He came to prominence when taking 38 test wickets at an average of 21.57 in the 2008 calendar year.

O'Brien's first county contract follows the recent signing of Wellington one-day international allrounder Grant Elliott by Surrey.

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