Elliott signs for Yorkshire

The former Australian opener, Matthew Elliott, has joined Yorkshire for the 2007 season as cover for Pakistan's Younis Khan. Elliott is due to arrive in early April, while Younis is still involved with the World Cup, and will be with the Yorkshire squad in time to face Surrey in the County Championship curtain-raiser at The Oval.

Currently in a rich vein of form, the left-handed Elliott last played for Yorkshire in 2002 where he joined the club mid-way through the season as a replacement for his fellow Australian, Darren Lehmann. Elliott featured in five Championship matches returning a very respectful average of 54, but his ultimate innings of the season came at Lord's where he scored an unbeaten 128 against Somerset to help Yorkshire lift the C&G Trophy.

Elliott has enjoyed a fine season with South Australia where he has recently been captain in place of the injured Lehmann. He has averaged over 52 in the Ford Ranger Cup, including two impressive centuries, and scored 55 for South Australia against an England XI in November last year before falling to Monty Panesar.

Commenting on his appointment, Elliott said: "I am delighted to be coming back to such a prestigious county as Yorkshire. Whilst I'll only be with the team for a few weeks at the start of the season, I am determined to play my part and put runs on the board. The club have taken some knocks over the past few weeks but I am confident that good times are ahead and I am pleased that I can make a contribution."

Stewart Regan, chief executive of Yorkshire, said: "We have been working very hard over the past few weeks to identify quality players who can hit the ground running. Matthew is a great acquisition and albeit he will only be with us for a short while we value his support for Yorkshire and look forward to welcoming him back to Headingley Carnegie."