SUSSEX have signed Cheteshwar Pujara as a replacement for Australia's Travis Head, with the India batsman set to be available for most of the 2022 English season.
Head asked to be released from his contract with the south coast side due to increased international commitments, as well as the fact he and his girlfriend, Jessica, are expecting their first child.
Pujara, who has scored more than 6,500 Test runs, will arrive in time for the first Championship match of the season in April and remain until at least the end of the 50-over one-day competition.
"Over the years I have always enjoyed my time in the UK playing county cricket, so am eagerly looking forward to the new stint and hope to contribute to the club's success," said the 34-year-old, who has previously had spells with Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.
Head, who had been due to captain Sussex in the first-class County Championship, said: "It comes with disappointment during a very exciting period for me personally that I won't be returning this season.... I'm hopeful I can still have an impact at the club in the future."
Sussex expect to have Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan available for the early part of the Championship season and at least eight Twenty20 Blast group games.
The club, in a bid to bolster their squad for the remaining Blast and Championship matches, have also signed Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe.
Afghanistan leg-spin star Rashid Khan will be back for another Blast campaign but the date of his arrival will depend on the length of his involvement in the Indian Premier League.
(AFP)
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)