Derbyshire gain Hopes

Derbyshire have signed James Hopes, the Queensland allrounder, as their second overseas player for the 2007 season. He has played nine one-day internationals but is not involved in the current Australian squad preparing for the Champions Trophy.

Hopes will join Travis Birt, the Tasmanian batsman, at the County Ground and is a replacement for Michael di Venuto, whose services were not retained after the 2006 season.

Hopes told the Derbyshire website: