West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards will join Hampshire two months earlier than planned in order to cover for injured Australia seamer Jackson Bird.

The 33-year-old was initially due to arrive at the Ageas Bowl in time for the Royal London One-Day Cup match against the Sussex Sharks on July 27.

However, Edwards will now be eligible to feature against Dorset on May 4 in place of Bird, who had to pull out of a deal with the club due to a neck injury which proved to be "worse than first feared".

Edwards has made 55 Test appearances for the West Indies.