BRADLEY DIAL, who scored the winning runs for South Africa in the ICC U19s World Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai last month, is joining Lechlade CC for the season.

Dial, who is due in the country on Wednesday, is expected to go straight into the Lechlade side for their first home game of the season against Tewkesbury on May 10.

Dial’s dad Brian is British as are his grandparents and he holds a UK passport.

So there will be none of the visa issues which have ultimately scuppered Lechlade’s attempts to bring over former West Indies Test player Sylvester Joseph and then 25-year-old South African Juanre van Wyk.

The club are also hoping that their connections within the county game may be able to forge an introduction at least with Gloucestershire CCC for the talented Dial, who in 2013 played in four of the five Tests against the touring England U19s side which proved a whitewash for the hosts.

Lechlade treasurer Charlie Payne is to be congratulated on brokering a deal for 19-year-old Dial in double quick time following the revelation than van Wyk had his visa application turned down earlier this week.

Payne said: “Bradley is a top order batsman and an off spinner.

“He wanted to fulfil his contract responsibilities with Gauteng (formerly Natal) before considering any offers from England and his contract only ended today (Friday).

“I think the decision was made easier for him by the fact that our captain (Joe Breet) is South African and another of our top players Ryan Higgins is from Zimbabwe.

“He not only played for the winning team in the U19s World Cup but scored the winning boundary in the final.

“Bradley is not a hired gun but someone who is coming over to look at the English system and could have a future in Gloucestershire cricket.

Dial, who also has his coaching qualifications, is expected to bat at No.4 for Lechlade and will be based in Cirencester with either chairman Paul Rowley or Higgins.