KENT have moved into the transfer market to sign Australian run-getter Michael Bevan and rookie New Zealand Paceman Ian Butler on standby for the remainder of the summer.

The pair will fill in for Andrew Symonds and Mohammad Sami respectively at any stage during the season, but specifically for the final month of the campaign once the ICC Champions Trophy starts.

Bevan, an experienced 34-year-old left-hander, has played 18 Tests and 232 one-day internationals for Australia having enjoyed previous stints in England with Sussex, Yorkshire and Leicestershire.

He has played 214 first-class matches scoring almost 17,000 runs at a superb average of 57.64 which, according to Kent captain David Fulton, sets him apart.

Fulton said: "We can't wait and see and consider our options so we decided to snap up Michael now. He has retired from international cricket, but he has great attitude and hunger.

"He wants to play two more years of county cricket so good performances for us will do him no harm. He's not the sort of player to come over here to mark time. Australia are playing Holland as part of their warm-up for the Champions Trophy so Michael seems likely to join us for the last month of the season, the business end."

Butler, on the other hand, has played just 29 first-class matches and seven Tests for New Zealand. The 23 year-old six feet three inch paceman boasts a Test-best return of six for 46 against Pakistan in Wellington this winter. He had a brief spell with Gloucestershire last year replacing Ian Harvey and has also played for Northern Districts and 10 one-day internationals for his country.

Fulton added: "Butler played in the C&G Trophy against us last summer and impressed several boys in the side. He bowls sharp and, despite having a load of catches dropped, had a decent record for Gloucestershire last summer.

"We needed someone with a bit of extra pace to replace Mohammad Sami and, with New Zealand over here playing a Test series, he will be hungry and eager to do well and turn in some eye catching displays.

"He will be here when 'Symo' goes of to Zimbabwe and we can look forward to pairing him up with Mohammad at New Road and Tunbridge Wells. That's quite exciting for us and the supporters and I hope it will give us a clean, cutting edge."