The fast bowler, a huge success on last summer's Ashes tour, replaces Mohammad Akram on a one-year contract and is expected to be available for the whole season.

Northamptonshire chief executive Steve Coverdale said: ``He had a great influence upon last summer's Ashes series during the four Test matches which he played, and proved he is one of the leading pace bowlers in the game.''

Reiffel, 31, who had also been linked with Hampshire, topped Australia's bowling averages in the 1993 Ashes series, helping Allan Border's side to a 4-1 victory.

This year he joined the tourists in June as cover for the injured Andy Bichel, having been overlooked after sustaining hamstring trouble on Australia's tour of South Africa. He took 11 wickets in four games before going home early to be with his pregnant wife.

He also showed his growing aptitude with the bat and frequently frustrated England's attack, finishing top of Australia's Test batting averages with 59.66.

Wicketkeeper Colin Metson has ended an 11-year association with Glamorgan after being left out of their championship-winning side last season.

Metson, 34, joined from Middlesex in 1987 and played 207 first-class matches, claiming 558 catches and 50 stumpings and making a major contribution to their 1993 Sunday League success. He lost his place to Adrian Shaw last summer and made only one first-class appearance.

He plans to start a career with a local transport and haulage company but is open to playing offers or coaching opportunities.

The Australian Cricket Board are losing money and cannot afford to meet the demands of the players' union, according to the ACB auditor. Peter Fekete revealed the ACB's financial position to Australian Cricketers' Association president Tim May and the six state team captains.