GLAMORGAN today signed Indian Test captain Sourav Ganguly, pictured, and not compatriot VSS Laxman, as their second overseas player - subject to international clearance.

But the 32-year-old left hander, currently serving an international one-day ban, may only be available for seven weeks as he may have to return to an Indian summer training camp in July.

Ganguly, who played for Lancashire five years ago, will make his Glamorgan County Championship debut against Sussex at Swansea on June 1.

Ganguly, also a useful right-arm medium-pace bowler, is currently serving his ban as a penalty for India's slow over rate in their recent one-day series against Pakistan.

He is appealing and if he succeeds is likely to have to return for the summer camp called by new national coach Greg Chappell ahead of the Autumn one-day series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

But if, as is expected, the appeal fails, he will stay with Glamorgan until the middle of August.

If he does return early, Glamorgan will reassess the position and probably bring in another overseas replacement.

Glamorgan skipper Robert Croft said today: "It is great news for the club and comes at an important time as we have had a difficult start to the season (losing their first five county championship matches).

"We are anticipating Matthew Maynard's retirement to take up a position with the ECB and felt we had to act to strengthen the side in his absence.

"We feel we have signed someone not only with a proven track record but who will be looked up to in the dressing room."

Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin said: "We are delighted to have secured Sourav's services and although we are signing him on the basis of his being available until the end of July there is a strong chance he will be with us for longer.

"It is exactly the sort of boost which the captain, coach and players require. Ganguly is one of the leading names in world cricket."

Ganguly, India's most successful captain ever, has played in 82 Tests and 271 one-day internationals, in the former scoring 4949 runs with a highest score of 173 at an average of 40.90.

In one-day games he has scored 9,967 runs with a highest score of 183 and an average of 41.18.

Australian fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz believes its too early for Glamorgan to panic despite the disastrous start to the season.

The 33-year-old paceman had agreed terms to return to Sophia Gardens this year, but was named in both Australia's one-day and Ashes squads.

He has been keeping tabs on Glamorgan's fortunes and remains hopeful things will get better.

"Glamorgan are not doing very well at the moment but I'm not sure if my absence has anything to do with it," Kasprowicz told the Argus. "The important thing is that there are plenty of good players at the club.

"If they can win a few one-day matches in the next week or two, the momentum will definitely carry forward into the County Championship.

"The players are probably a bit down on confidence but I am sure they will improve. "I had already agreed terms with Glamorgan this summer and if I had been left out of either Australia's one-day squad or the Ashes squad I would have returned. The Ashes is the pinnacle for any Australian cricketer."