NETHERFIELD Cricket Club might have a World Cup star in the camp if new professional Charl Langeveldt is selected, as expected, in South Africa's 15-strong squad for the tournament.

The 32-year-old Langeveldt has been enjoying a high profile after the deal to bring him to Parkside Road was confirmed at the turn of the year, but kept under wraps until he put pen to paper.

Now Langeveldt's selection could mean he misses the opening two matches of the Northern League season if South Africa progress as far as the semi-finals.

Known as one of the best "death" bowlers in the trade because of his ability to swing the ball, Langeveldt rekindled the selectors' interest in him with a 5-33 haul for South Africa A in a 126-run victory over Zimbabwe.

It earned a call-up for South Africa's senior squad's five-match, one-day series against Pakistan, who this week crashed to two heavy losses in Cape Town and Johannesburg and a 3-1 Series defeat.

One-time prison warder, Langeveldt has half a dozen Test appearances to his name and International One-day appearances, but is well known in the Northern League, having made a big impression as Morecambe's professional three seasons ago.

At present he plays for Highveld Lions and has taken 199 first-class wickets at an average of 28.59.

Langeveldt was involved in one of the most sensational finishes to a one-day international match in the Carbibbean when he snatched a hat-trick to give South Africa a one-run victory and Series win over the West Indies.

Netherfield skipper Scott Clement said: "We could have a World Cup star on our hands and it will be quite an attraction for spectators to see someone of Charl's ability playing on the ground.

"He had better offers financially from the Lancashire League but he liked his experience of Northern League cricket at Morecambe and that says something in itself.

"He's a great clubman by all accounts and we're all looking forward to meeting him."

Langeveldt replaces fellow countryman Pierre de Bruyn, who returned when Australian Dirk Nannes returned home with a shoulder injury.

Two other newcomers to Netherfield's team are wicketkeeper batsman Ryan Brown, a Lancashire Academy player who has been with Millom. Brown was a prolific scorer for Cumberland U17s.

Another young player leg-spin bowler/batsman Mark Daly, who has also made a senior debut for Cumberland, joins from Furness.

n England have kept the Cumbrian Paul Nixon, the former Carlisle-born Cumberland wicketkeeper/batsman, in the World Cup squad after the tri-nation series success.

n Kendal are drawn away to Stretford in the first round of the Lancashire Cup on Sunday, May 20. Netherfield have a bye and will play the winners of the Padiham v Walshaw tie in the second round.