Hoofdklasse side HBS Den Haag have enlisted the services of 24-year-old New Zealander Anton Devcich for their attempt to gain a rapid return to the top flight.

One of three clubs relegated last season as a result of the reorganisation of the Dutch domestic competition, HBS will be looking to the Northern Districts left-hander to anchor their somewhat inconsistent batting line-up, while his left-arm spin will add variety to their attack.

A former New Zealand Under-19 representative, Devcich made his debut for Northern Districts in 2005, making a remarkable 94 not out while batting at No. 9, but has played only intermittently since. He had much more impact in this season’s Twenty20 competition, however, playing some crucial hard-hitting innings.

He had a great year in Waikato district cricket in 2008-09, making 760 runs in all and hitting 195 for his club, Hamilton Boys’ High School, in the final of the two-day competition. The side was, incidentally, coached by former Hermes-DVS player-coach Chris Kuggeleijn, who spent four seasons at the Schiedam club in the late eighties.

This season he has been at it again, smashing a 53-ball century in a club match at the start of February which included eleven sixes and seven fours. HBS will be hoping he can repeat that kind of form against Hoofdklasse attacks.

At Craeyenhoudt Devcich will join fellow-Kiwi Mark Webb, whose appointment as Club Coach HBS had announced towards the end of last year.