Michael Bevan Photo CricInfo

Leicestershire have announced the signing of the New South Wales and Australian batsman Michael Bevan as their overseas professional for the 2002 season.

"We are delighted to have agreed a one year contract with Michael," said new 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 first played county cricket with Yorkshire in 1998, scoring 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 1,124 first-class runs at the mammoth average of 74.93 in his sole summer on the south coast.

Leicestershire have been strong performers in all four county competitions over recent years, winning the County Championship in both the 1996 and 1998 seasons. In 2001, they finished fifth in the CricInfo Championship and were also runners-up in both the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy and Norwich Union League.

Daniel Marsh, another Australian, was the county's choice as overseas 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 as his replacement.

© CricInfo