New Zealand [Images] fast bowler Shane Bond [Images] has signed for Hampshire as the English county's overseas player for the first part of the season starting in April.

The Hampshire web site said on Friday that Bond, who took 13 wickets in last year's World Cup in the Caribbean, would feature until the start of the Twenty20 Cup in June.

• Shane Bond joins ICL

He will cover for Australia's Shane Warne [Images], who will play in the inaugural Indian Premier League before returning for the latter part of the English season.

"With the very busy international programme going on at this time of the year, finding a bowler with his [Bond's] genuine quality that has the time and desire to play county cricket has been difficult," said team manager Paul Terry.