Khawaja set for Derbyshire stint

Batting at number three, Usman Khawaja looked a class act on his senior international debut in this month's Ashes Test at Sydney

Derbyshire have signed Australia batsman Usman Khawaja for the first half of the 2011 season, subject to a no objection certificate from Cricket Australia.

The 24-year-old left-hander, who made his senior international debut in the final Test of this winter’s Ashes, will be available from the beginning of the campaign through to the conclusion of the Friends Provident t20 group stage.

It means Khawaja is eligible for eight LV= County Championship matches and six Clydesdale Bank 40 fixtures as well as the 16-match FPt20 group games.

The county’s head of cricket John Morris said: “Usman is an extremely talented batsman whose prolific record in Sheffield Shield Cricket has fired him into the thoughts of the Australian selectors.

“Although he made his debut in the final Test of the Ashes series, Usman has been part of the Australia set-up for several months and was part of the touring squad that visited the County Ground last season.

“Successful stints in county cricket have played an integral part in the development of many successful Australian cricketers and I’m sure Usman will benefit hugely from this experience.

“He has scored runs consistently for New South Wales and is also proving to be a very entertaining player to watch.”

The county have also revealed that discussions are ongoing regarding the signing of a second overseas player for the forthcoming campaign.