Telo signs for Derbyshire

Derbyshire have secured the signing of Western Province batsman Dominic Telo on a two-year contract.

Telo, 22, from Cape Town, joins the county under the Kolpak ruling, with the intention of qualifying for English nationality.

A right-handed middle-order batsman, Telo scored 648 runs at an average of 58.90 in first-class cricket for Western Province in 2007/08.

He has scored three first-class hundreds from 30 innings to date, including centuries in both innings against Boland in November 2007.

Telo was left stranded on 99 not out as Western Province lost to Griqualand West in the South African Airways Provincial Three-Day Challenge Final in March.

He has also hit 90 for the one-day side, Cape Cobras.

Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris said: “Dominic is one of the brightest young batsmen in the South African game and we are naturally delighted to have tempted him to Derbyshire.

“It is important to note that Dominic has signed with the intention of qualifying so that he can eventually play as an English cricketer. At such a young age, time is certainly on his side.”

Telo joins Greg Smith, another South African-born player, on Derbyshire’s books.

Mahela Jayawardene is the county’s main overseas player for 2008, with Australian opener Chris Rogers down to play when the Sri Lankan captain is not available.