Nottinghamshire sign Voges as cover for Hussey

Nottinghamshire have signed Adam Voges, the Western Australia batsman, as short-term cover for David Hussey during the initial stages of the 2008 season. Hussey is due to join the squad upon the completion of the Indian Premier League tournament.

Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, is content with Hussey's stand-in and excited about his prospects. "He's got an excellent pedigree and should be more or less a straight swap," Newell said. "The aim is for him to slot in at No.4 in four-day and one-day cricket.

"He's played international cricket for Australia and has a good record with the bat, bowls a bit of left-arm spin and by all accounts is an excellent fielder. He wants to make a role for himself in county cricket and will have that opportunity with us." It will be Voges' first stint in the county scene after scoring 2339 runs at 40.32 from 40 first-class matches, including a career-best 180 in the 2007-08 Pura Cup.

Newell said Hussey's decision to sign for the IPL was unexpected and they had wanted him for the entire season. "We had to decide whether we wanted him to be a part of our future plans," he said. "He has assured me that he is still very keen to play for Notts and is expected to arrive at Trent Bridge later in the summer."