COLCHESTER and East Essex are hoping that their new international signing Jonny Bassett-Graham can make an impact both on and off the pitch, this year.

The Castle Park club have drafted in the Kiwi wicket-keeper batsman as a player-coach, to boost their Shepherd Neame Essex League division one hopes for the forthcoming season.

Bassett-Graham has played First Class cricket in Auckland and will add plenty of experience to the Colchester side, both in the playing and coaching areas.

The 29-year-old has recently been coaching for professional side Auckland Aces in his native New Zealand.

And he has already made an impact for his new club, performing well in their opening North Essex Cricket League games against Wivenhoe.

Colchester and East Essex CC club chairman Andrew Kennedy said: “Jonny’s played first-class cricket for Auckland and has a lot of experience in club cricket, in addition to First Class coaching.

“We’re very happy to have him and he will be coaching with the various different teams at the club.”

Bassett-Graham follows in the footsteps of Tom Blundell, who played as Colchester’s overseas player in the Shepherd Neame Essex League in the summers of 2012 and 2013, in flying over from New Zealand to play for Colchester.

Blundell has since gone on to score a Test century on his New Zealand debut and has been named in the Kiwis’ squad for the forthcoming Cricket World Cup.

“Tom’s come from nowhere,” said Kennedy, who will be captain of Colchester’s second XI, this season.

“The first-choice keeper lost his place and he’s taken his opportunity.

“I’m sure he’ll do a great job and it’s a fantastic chance for Tom.

Bassett-Graham has been joined at Colchester by fellow signing, batsman Jack Hobbs.

The Framlingham College player is a Suffolk development player will be looking to hit the ground running for his new club.

There have been a number of changes to the first team squad at Colchester, over recent weeks.

Ollie Bocking (Frinton), Josh Rymell (Billericay), Jake Foley (Saffron Walden) and Jack Hebron (Brentwood) have all left for pastures new.

And Colchester youngster Ben Allison has left to concentrate on playing for Essex.

Kennedy added: “Ben has done really well.

“He moved away to play Premier League cricket but hopefully one day, we’ll see him back at the club, if and when we get back there.”

Colchester have another busy weekend of cricket, as they build up for the new league season.

They play host to South Woodford in the Dukes Essex League Cup first round tomorrow, 12.30pm start.

And they also entertain Cambridge Granta in the ECB National Club Championship on Sunday (1pm start).

Colchester begin their new Shepherd Neame Essex League season when they host Loughton, on May 11.