Mike Hussey will join up with his new Northamptonshire colleagues in a couple of months time – and the Western Australia batsman is already relishing the prospect of a debut season on the county circuit.

The 25-year-old opener is due at Wantage Road in mid-April after being signed to replace fellow Aussie left-hander Matthew Hayden for the 2001 campaign.

And Hussey, whose previous U.K. experience came in 1998 when he played Scottish league cricket for Ferguslie before touring Scotland and Ireland with Australia A, is clearly eager to impress.

He said: "I've heard good reports about Northamptonshire from Matt Hayden and Justin Langer. I know they won the second division last year, and it sounds as though they have some talented young players there.

"First of all we'll be aiming to keep the club in the top division, and ultimately trying to make Northamptonshire the best county in England.

"I was keen to play for a team in the first division of the Championship, because obviously you want to test yourself in the best standard of cricket you possibly can.

"I don't have any past contacts with the club, I don't know too many of the people there yet, so I'll be coming to it good and fresh. I'm really looking forward now to giving it a crack.

"To be able to play cricket right through the year is a tremendous opportunity. It gives me the chance to improve my game on different pitches, in different conditions and against different opponents.

"Hopefully, it'll help me develop my cricket to the point where I'll be pressing for a place in the Australian side."

Not surprisingly, Hussey – awarded a central contract by the Australian Cricket Board last May – will find neutrality impossible when the Battle for the Ashes breaks out this summer.

"Every Aussie cricketer hopes to play in a Test series against England – and I suppose the next-best thing is to watch one! I would love to be able to take in at least one of the games while I'm over.

"It's difficult for me to set specific run-targets for the season because I haven't been involved in the county system before. But I will be sitting down to think about it, and if I can meet my personal targets as far as my own game is concerned then I hope the runs will look after themselves."

Hussey is scheduled to arrive in Northampton on April 11th and will be present at the pre-season photocall and press briefing the following day.

© CricInfo Ltd.