Playing with Viru and Gambhir will give me a chance to learn, says Parnell

NEW DELHI, January 31: Wayne Parnell, Delhi Daredevils latest recruit for the IPL-3 beginning March 12, is looking forward to his stint with the franchise. "I simply wanted to get the opportunity, but it will be very helpful to play alongside AB de Villiers at Delhi who also have our fitness trainer, Rob Walter, on their staff,” said Parnell, who was picked up for $ 610,000 by Daredevils at the auction in Mumbai.

"They have some great Indian players on their staff such as Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir and I am sure I will learn a lot about conditions in India," Parnell was quoted as saying on the website cricket365.com.

Parnell attracted the third highest price ever paid for a South African at an IPL auction.

Parnell was the leading wicket-taker in the ICC Champions' Trophy even though South Africa did not progress to the knock-out stage. He had similar success in the ICC World Twenty20 in England.

Parnell said the IPL will give him the chance to broaden his career, gain invaluable experience on the sub-continent and play with and against some of the game's greatest players.

"I have never been to India before," he commented, "although I played in successive ICC Under-19 World Cups in Sri Lanka and Malaysia in 2006 and 2008. Going to India for the first time will be a huge challenge and experience and it will be very helpful that I will be touring India with the Proteas before the IPL starts.

The IPL auction rounded off a great week for Parnell, who in the same week made his Test match debut for South Africa.