Durham sign Callum Thorp

Callum Thorp will not count as an overseas player for Durham © Getty Images

Durham have signed Callum Thorp, a right-arm fast-medium bowler, on a two-year contract.

Thorp, 28, was born in Perth and has played 16 matches for Western Australia. But since both of his parents are British, he will not count as an overseas player, even though on England's 2002-03 tour of Australia he took 4 for 58 against the tourists.

"Callum comes to the club highly recommended by our new captain Mike Hussey who is confident that he will be able to perform well in British conditions," said Martyn Moxon, Durham's coach. "It will be particularly useful to have another bowler in the squad to ensure that there is constant competition within the team for places on the field."

David Harker, the county's chief executive, was also enthusiastic: "We are looking forward to having his experience within the squad, especially in our battle for promotion next year, and to offer guidance to our developing players."

The last Australian fast bowler Durham signed was Shaun Tait, who, though highly regarded by Geoff Lawson, Damien Fleming and Wayne Clark, failed abysmally in two matches: figures of 18-0-176-0 tell one story, but not how he struggled with no-balls. There were 26 of them.