Dewald Nel's Grange return scuppered by injury

Nel, who has endured a torrid first month with Kent, had hoped to turn out for the Spitfires in their CB 40 match with the Scots at the Citylets Grange.

However, the 29-year-old pace bowler has failed to shake off the back injury that has restricted him to just one first- team outing for his new team.

The former Greenock player has instead set his sights on taking part in the return encounter at Canterbury later in the month. "I'm absolutely gutted to be missing out on the trip to Edinburgh because it would have been fun to play against the Saltires," he said. "They are obviously going to be in high spirits after beating Leicestershire so it's going to be an interesting game and one I'd have loved to have played in.

"But we are still trying to get to the root of my back problem and it is one of these things you can't rush. I had an injection last weekend and managed a bit of a bowl in the nets yesterday. The medical staff have been excellent."

Nel, who signed a two-year deal with Kent last month, has only bowled seven overs for the county, conceding 70 runs against Warwickshire. He added: "It has been a tough month – nowhere near ideal – and there has been a lot of soul-searching. It is just so frustrating not to be able to fulfil the job I was brought here to do. But hopefully I'll be back to full fitness soon because I'm already targeting the game against the Saltires at the end of the month."

Meanwhile, Surrey have signed Pakistan's suspended former captain Younis Khan for this year's English county cricket competitions. Younis was indefinitely banned from the national team by the Pakistan Cricket Board for infighting with another former captain Mohammad Yousuf. His appeal is due to be heard on Saturday.

Surrey's Professional Cricket Manager Chris Adams said: "Bringing in world-class players like Younis will have a very positive effect on the side."

Younis can play for Surrey in all competitions of the English domestic season until mid-July.