Derbyshire replace Rudolph with Birt

Derbyshire have signed the Tasmania batsman Travis Birt as a replacement for Jacques Rudolph for the coming season. Rudolph was forced to pull out of his contract to undergo shoulder surgery.

Birt has been in good domestic form and is the second highest run-scorer in the Pura Cup this season, with 814 runs at an average of more than 50. "I think it will be very good for his cricket over there, playing in different conditions and giving him some experience in England," Tim Coyle, Tasmania's coach, said.

"Look, sooner rather than later, we'd like to see a Tasmanian in the national team and he's certainly put his name up there." Ricky Ponting is the national captain but the most recent international debutant from the state was Shane Watson, who was originally from Queensland. Michael Di Venuto, Birt's team-mate at Tasmania, is already contracted to Derbyshire and the pair will bolster the batting order.