Essex sign Bryce McGain

With Danish Kaneria included in Pakistan's squad for their Tests against Australia and England this summer, Essex have signed Australian legspinner Bryce McGain as a replacement until the end of the current county season.

"We have been searching for a new overseas player for a while now," Essex head coach Paul Grayson told essexcricket.org.uk. "It has not proved easy to replace Danish. With the current weather and the upcoming fixtures at grounds like Southend and Colchester we feel Bryce will be the ideal addition as a spin bowler".

McGain, 38, made his Test debut for Australia against South Africa in March 2009 but he was harshly dealt with, bowling 18 wicketless overs while giving away 149 runs, and has not been considered for national selection since.

But he remains a potent force at domestic level, and played an important part in Victoria's Sheffield Shield triumph in March this year, picking up 4 for 70 in Queensland's second innings to seal a massive 457-run win.

"We can now look forward to the rest of the season having received good feedback from various sources regarding the pedigree of Bryce," added Grayson. "He had a good season last year with Victoria. We have been scouting around and Bryce is certainly the best available bowler.

"He will be able to play across all formats of the game and we will be able to include him in the squad for Sunday's away game and also the championship game that starts on Thursday next week away at Kent".