No county cricket for Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf was selected as a temporary substitute for Jacques Rudolph, but the ECB have denied his registration © Getty Images

Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan batsman, will not play for Derbyshire ahead of his country's tour of England this summer due to a registration problem.

Yousuf was originally selected as a temporary replacement for Jacques Rudolph, the county's other overseas player, whose plans to play were ruled out in March when it transpired he needed surgery.

However, the ECB stipulates that counties may only use temporary substitutes for players who are away on international duty, not those who are injured.

"We discussed the situation with the ECB and were originally told there was not a problem but last week we were informed that Yousuf could not be registered as a replacement overseas player," Tom Sears, Derbyshire's chief executive, told the club's website.

"It is an unfortunate consequence of Jacques Rudolph's injury that has left us in this position. It is obviously very disappointing for the club and for Yousuf who was looking forward to his first spell in county cricket."

Travis Birt, the 24-year-old Tasmania batsman, will continue to be their second overseas player.