ANDREW Hall, the South African who made his debut for Suffolk today, is no stranger to the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.Hall, who is 26, was in the Suffolk side that played Northamptonshire at Bury St Edmunds in a third round match.

ANDREW Hall, the South African who made his debut for Suffolk today, is no stranger to the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

Hall, who is 26, was in the Suffolk side that played Northamptonshire at Bury St Edmunds in a third round match.

The all-rounder was signed earlier this month after making 70 in a four-wicket defeat on his Test debut against Australia during the winter months.

Hall has previously played for the Durham Cricket Board in the C&G Trophy. He said: "I spent two years playing in Durham. This summer I am playing for Rawtenstall, which is just outside Manchester. The season has been going well, although it has taken time to adjust to club wickets.

"It has taken me a few games to get used to the pace, but the wickets are starting to get harder and faster.

"I am keen to play for Suffolk because I want to play county cricket; it is a good opportunity for me to show what I can do."

Hall, who has played 20 one-day internationals for South Africa since making his debut against the West Indies in 1999, stepped in as a late replacement for fellow countryman Justin Kemp as Suffolk's permitted overseas player.

He scored 115 not out and 53 not out in two innings for Rawtenstall this month and has taken 18 wickets so far this season.

An approach to play for Suffolk came out of the blue, and Hall admitted he knows little about the county.

"I have not been to Suffolk prior to arriving yesterday. I toured England in 1993 with my school XI and then played in the Durham Senior League in 1996 and 1999.

"I planned to visit Suffolk last Tuesday to meet the guys and have a training session, but the weather was unkind so it was not worth it."