New Yorkshire signing heads Down Under

Plunkett, who joined Yorkshire in the close season from Durham and has only played three LV= County Championship matches in the last two seasons due to injury, will head to Adelaide next week to the academy set up by Yorkshire’s most successful overseas player, Lehmann.

Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: “The thinking behind it is to give Liam every opportunity to play and train in excellent conditions. He missed a lot of last season through injury, so he is keen to make up for lost time.”

Plunkett, 27, is due to return on March 5.

Former South Africa left-arm spinner Paul Harris has announced he will retire from cricket at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old played 37 Tests for the Proteas between 2007 and 2011, taking 103 wickets, and he also represented Warwickshire in the English County Championship.

In South Africa, he has played for Western Province, Northerns, Highveld Lions and Nashua Titans during a first-class career spanning 14 years.

Harris said: “I will be retiring from cricket at the end of the 2012-13 season. I would like to thank all the people who have helped me over my career. I am now going to enjoy being a Titans and Proteas supporter.”

England Twenty20 opening batsman Alex Hales has joined Big Bash League leaders Melbourne Renegades as a replacement for the injured Marlon Samuels.

The West Indian has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after he was hit in the eye by a bouncer from Lasith Malinga during the match against the Melbourne Stars on Sunday.

Nottinghamshire batsman Hales has been a regular member of the England T20 squad over the past 18 months and averages 34.83 at a strike rate of 127.43 in 14 internationals.

Hales will join the Renegades in Sydney for their final group match against Sydney Sixers tonight.