Martin Love signs for Northants

The Australian batsman, Martin Love, has signed a one-year contract to play for Northamptonshire in 2005.

Love, 30, enjoyed a successful month-long stay at Wantage Road earlier this season, scoring 394 runs in two Frizzell County Championship Division One matches - including a century in each innings against Worcestershire at New Road - after replacing the South African, Martin van Jaarsveld.

Mark Tagg, Northamptonshire's chief executive, said: "It was a pleasure to have Martin Love here. He showed tremendous professionalism in his short stay with us and was a firm favourite both on and off the field.

"His decision to sign for next year so early reflects his belief in the outline plans we have for the future, and shows confidence that Northants are determined to make progress in the years to come."

Love, who plays for Queensland during the Australian season, said: "I enjoyed my brief spell working with Kepler Wessels and can see great potential in the squad."