Aussie quick bowler signs up to boost Yorkshire attack

The 22-year-old international will be joining the club as an overseas player and assuming that the required paperwork is obtained, Starc will fly from Sydney this week and be available for selection for the four-day match against Gloucestershire at Bristol starting on Wednesday, May 9.

Yorkshire will need a Non Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Australian Cricket Board and to tie up the required work permits to add the Aussie to their 2012 squad.

Stark has recently played his fourth Test match for Australia and so far has claimed 10 Test wickets at 32.50 and made useful lower order contributions with the bat.

He has also played seven one-day internationals and is regarded as a good prospect capable of producing pace and bounce.

He will strengthen a Yorkshire attack that is expected to have to cope without England man Tim Bresnan for most of the summer due to his international duties.

Castleford all-rounder Bresnan, however, is expected to play in the next match when Yorkshire take their first trip of the year to North Marine Road, Scarborough (pictured), taking on Leicestershire in a game set to begin tomorrow.

Three draws against Kent (twice) and Essex have not seen Yorkshire set the season alight so far, but their first opponents are expected to be among the strongest in the division this year and captain Andrew Gale is confident a first win is just round the corner, weather permitting.

Leicestershire, who finished bottom of the pile last summer, are led by West Indian Ramnaresh Sarwan in the absence of former Yorkshire favourite Matthew Hoggard, who has a hand injury.

The Foxes started their Championship campaign with a 52-run win over Glamorgan at Grace Road thanks largely to 12 wickets from Robbie Joseph, who joined on a contract until the end of May after being released by Kent last November. Away draws followed against Derbyshire, where Sarwan and Josh Cobb both hit centuries and Wayne White bagged 5-54, and against Hampshire where the rain halted proceedings early.