Northants snapped up Ashes star Paul Reiffel as their overseas player for next season following their failure to persuade fellow Australian Shane Warne to play in England.

The 31-year-old fast/medium bowler, a resounding success after a late call-up on last summer's Ashes tour, replaces Mohammad Akram on a one-year contract and is expected to be available for the whole season.

Reiffel, who had also been linked with Hampshire, topped Australia's bowling averages in the 1993 Ashes series, helping Allan Border's side to a 4-1 victory.

This year he joined the tourists in June as cover for the injured Andy Bichel and captured 11 wickets in four games.