Foxes sign Bevan to bolster ambitions

Leicestershire have signed the Australian Michael Bevan as their overseas player for the forthcoming season. The 31-year-old has agreed a one-year contract and replaces the Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

The left-hander has previously played for Yorkshire and Sussex, and Leicestershire are hoping he can steer them to a one-day trophy this year. Their new head coach, Phil Whitticase, said: "I regard Bevan as the best one-day batsmen in the world and in view of how close we came to winning two one-day trophies last season I think he can take us that one step further.

"A lot of discussions have taken place about who our overseas player should be and we are sure that Bevan fits the bill and will pass on to our younger players his wealth of experience. We see him as a major contributor in all four domestic competitions."

Bevan averages more than 57 in 164 one-day internationals, but the last of his 18 Test appearances was in January 1998.