Nottinghamshire resigned to losing Hussey

Nottinghamshire have admitted defeat in their bid to have David Hussey available for the start of the season and are looking for a short-term replacement.

Hussey had a contract with the county but then signed for the Indian Premier League and while Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, wanted the player to honour their deal, he admitted he was resigned to losing him for at least six weeks.

"I have calmed down a bit and he will join when he's available," Newell told the BBC. "We're searching for a replacement and that should happen by the weekend.

"What I had to do was decide whether we wanted to continue to work with David in the future. Having spoken to him and gathered that he wants to continue playing for Nottinghamshire then I did calm down a little bit and we've come to an arrangement."

Newell told the BBC that the batsmen he was trying to sign as a replacement was a top-quality player who would cover for this and future absences. "It's a player whose played for his country. He bowls a little bit as well and we're hopeful he will have a big impact for us. It's difficult with me being away to get the contracts finally signed and sealed."