New South Wales and Australian batsman Michael Bevan has been named as Leicestershire's overseas professional for the 2002 county cricket season.

The English midlands club today announced that it has signed Bevan to a one-year deal, ending a lengthy quest to find its new import player.

"We are delighted to have agreed a one year contract with Michael," said head coach, Phil Whitticase, in an official statement on behalf of the club.

"Michael is acknowledged as one of, if not the best, one-day batsmen in world cricket today and his previous experience of having played in English cricket will be invaluable.

"We see him as a major contributor in all four domestic competitions."

Bevan's association with county cricket began at Yorkshire in 1998, when he accumulated 935 runs at the impressive average of 55 at first-class level. He accepted a contract with Sussex two years later and, around international commitments with Australia, scored 1124 first-class runs at the mammoth average of 74.93 in his sole summer with the club.

Leicestershire has been a strong performer in all four county competitions over recent years. It was a dual winner of the County Championship in the late 1990s, claiming the title in both the 1996 and 1998 seasons. In 2001, it finished fifth in the Championship and was also the runner-up in both the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy and National League one-day competitions.

Daniel Marsh, another Australian, was the county's choice as an import player last season but was forced to cut his stint short when he sustained a fractured cheekbone in early July. Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi was then used briefly in a role as his replacement.

© 2002 CricInfo Ltd