Lymington have swooped to sign “miracle” man Craig Ervine – the Zimbabwean Test cricketer who was once close to having his hand amputated.

Ervine, the younger brother of Hampshire star Sean Ervine, has joined the Southern Premier League outfit as their overseas player for the coming season.

The 26-year-old all-rounder has played two Test matches for Zimbabwe and also lined up in the World Twenty20 Cup in 2010 and last year’s ICC World Cup.

Predominantly a left-handed batsman, Ervine, who plays for the Matabeleland Tuskers, is also an off-spin bowler and has beaten the odds to forge a career in professional cricket.

A freak accident in his early teens – when he slipped and fell on broken glass at the family home – required a three-hour reconstructive operation to his right hand.

However, but for the intervention of his mother – who was a nurse during wartime – Ervine would have had his hand amputated as the initial diagnosis had been grim.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Ervine said: “I went home from school one weekend and my two brothers decided we should have a game of cricket in the garden.

“I climbed on top of the pelmet to get some keys and my foot slipped off the window sill. My hand went through the window and I ended up landing on the jagged pieces of glass.

“It split open my wrist and I was rushed to hospital where the doctor said they would have to amputate the hand. Fortunately, my mum is a retired nurse and she said they needed to try to do the best they could and see what they could do. They managed to sew it up. It was a miracle!

“I am very lucky to have a mum like her because she knew exactly what to do so it was a blessing. It does still affect me a little but it is something I have got used to.”

In August 2011, Ervine faced Bangladesh in Zimbabwe’s first Test following the country’s six-year exile. And just seven months ago, he hit 49 in his second Test against Pakistan, the hosts including highly-rated spinner Saeed Ajmal in their attack.

At last year’s ICC World Cup in India, Ervine top scored with 66 as Zimbabwe completed their group matches with a convincing win over Kenya, while at the World Twenty20 Cup in the Caribbean in 2010, he helped his country to victory over Australia in a warm-up game.

Ervine, who will undertake some coaching duties with Lymington, is also hoping to play for Hampshire seconds this season. His stay in England was arranged through former Lymington captain Christian Pain and Funky Sports, sponsors of Sean Ervine.

“I am looking forward to the season,” added Ervine, who is due to turn out for Lymington in a friendly at Bashley today. “It benefits me coming over and is good to play on different wickets and in different conditions.”