Yorkshire’s plans for filling their main overseas slot for 2010 could be set for an unexpected boost after news broke that Ryan Harris was left out of Australia’s squad for the World Twenty20 in May.

The White Rose county had resigned themselves to being without the Queensland all-rounder for much of the summer after he successfully broke into his national side in all three forms of the game.

But a press release from Cricket Australia without Harris’ name on it left Martyn Moxon surprised during the club’s media day at Headingley.

Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of professional cricket, intended to pick up the phone as soon as he finished his round of interviews and photographs to try to find out what that would mean in terms of the player’s availability.

With Cricket Australia’s permission, it could be that Harris arrives at Headingley as soon as his commitments are finished with IPL franchise Deccan Chargers later next month.

“Ryan Harris is extremely unlucky to miss selection given his strong performances in all forms of the game in recent times for Australia,” said Andrew Hilditch, CA’s chairman of selectors.

The final of the IPL takes place on April 25, but there is no guarantee that Deccan will make the showpiece.

It is expected that Bajan fast bowler Tino Best will be signed on as early season cover for Harris in the coming days.

The ex-West Indies international, who could also qualify as a Kolpak player, is desperate to come to Headingley having impressed during the two-day friendly against Lancashire at the weekend.

Meanwhile, England will announce their 15-man World Twenty20 squad later today, with four Yorkshire players in with a chance of making the cut.

All-rounder Tim Bresnan will surely be named, while Ajmal Shahzad, Adil Rashid and David Wainwright are the other hopefuls.

Pace bowler Shahzad made his Twenty20 international debut against Pakistan in Dubai last month, taking two wickets. But he went for 18 in his final over as an Abdul Razzaq onslaught helped the hosts level a two-match series.

Shahzad said: “I want to be involved with England as much as I can, and the World Twenty20 is the next thing on their fixture list.

“If I’d have executed my skills a lot better in that last over, I’d be in a lot more of a confident position stood here now.

“But, hopefully, I’ve shown enough in the nets, demonstrating with my work ethic and my skill levels, to get picked.”