FORMER Kent firebrand Duncan Spencer looks set to make a dramatic return to county cricket 12 years after leaving St Lawrence.

The diminutive pace bowler, now 34, will join Sussex on a short term contract as locum for Rana Naved, who looks set to tour England this summer with Pakistan.

Spencer, Burnley-born and Australia-raised, played six first-class games for Kent between 1993-94 having been discovered in his adopted Perth by then Kent coach, Daryl Foster.

During his brief and injury-blighted stint with the county Spencer took eight wickets, costing 36.21, and a best of four for 31, but he made a lasting impression on West Indies’ batting legend Viv Richards.

Then playing for Glamorgan, Richards conceded that Spencer was the quickest white bowler he had ever faced after a rearing Spencer delivery split his batting gloves when batting in the Sunday League showdown of 1994.

Spencer’s career appeared over in 2001 when he became the first Australian player to receive a drugs ban after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone.

After serving an 18-month ban he returned to grade cricket with club side Melville, where he caught the eye of Murray Goodwin who recommended him to Sussex.