Jaques returns to county cricket with Yorkshire

Yorkshire have signed Phil Jaques, the Australian batsman, as a replacement for when Darren Lehmann is away on international duty.

Jaques, 25, played for Northamptonshire last season as a local player by virtue of a British passport. However, after he turned out for New South Wales this winter, he could no longer play county cricket as an English-qualified player under ECB regulations.

Northants were keen to keep Jacques for this season after his 1,400 runs helped them to promotion in the Championship and the National League. However, after talks with the ECB, they agreed that Jacques would no longer be able to turn out as a non-overseas player.

Jaques could make his Yorkshire debut against Hampshire in the County Championship game next week, and will spend a month at the club while Lehmann is in Zimbabwe for Australia's tour next month.