Warwickshire tempt Hain to Britain

Warwickshire may have pulled off something of a coup by signing Sam Hain. Hain broke into the Australia U19 squad aged just 16 and was regarded by some as the best young batting prospect in the country but he has now committed himself to England and agreed a contract with Warwickshire.

17-year-old Hain was born in Hong Kong but has a UK passport - both his parents are British - and will accompany Warwickshire's first team squad on their pre-season trip to Barbados.

He was spotted by former Warwickshire captain, Michael Powell, while on an exchange scheme at Loretto School in Edinburgh, where Powell now works, and was sent for trials at Warwickshire. He made his debut for the club's second XI aged just 14 and impressed sufficiently to win the club's most promising young player award. He agreed a contract with Warwickshire a year ago, but on the understanding that he would finish his education in Australia and join up with the squad ahead of the 2013 season.

Warwickshire have also signed Scotland batsman Freddie Coleman. The 21-year-old from Edinburgh scored a century for Oxford MCCU against Worcestershire last season in just his second first-class game.

He also won the MCCU Walter Lawrence Trophy for his innings of 141 against Durham MCCU. The award is made to the highest individual scorer from the MCCUs in innings against other MCCUs or the first-class counties. He made his List A debut for Scotland aged just 18 in 2010 and was recently awarded a developmental contract with Scotland. He will join Hain in Barbados.