SWANSEA (Wales), Jan 22: Glamorgan are on the verge of signing Jason Gillespie, the Australian fast bowler, as their overseas player for 2008.

Gillespie, 32, has spent the past two seasons with Yorkshire and picked up 94 wickets but, according to Swansea’s Evening Post, is considering switching to Glamorgan.

“He hasn’t put pen to paper yet, but we are hopeful he will sign within the next 48 hours,” Matthew Maynard, the club’s cricket manager told the newspaper. “I don’t envisage there will be a problem.

“If Jason came he would be a similar signing to Michael Kasprowicz. He has real experience and he would be an asset in helping our younger players’ progress. I know Jason very well. He is a good bloke and he would fit in really well.”

Glamorgan lost Simon Jones, the England fast bowler plagued by injury, to Worcestershire at the end of a dreadful season in which they finished bottom of the Championship’s second division.

Last week, Jones expressed his fears for Glamorgan’s future in light of their commitment to redeveloping Sophia Gardens in preparation for hosting their first Ashes Test in 2009.

Due to the huge financial strain of rebuilding the ground, the club’s policy was not to employ an overseas player — though this was eventually underwritten by a sponsor to sign Jimmy Maher. He finished the season with 252 runs at 16.80.—Agencies