YORKSHIRE have signed New South Wales left-hander Phil Jaques as temporary replacement for Darren Lehmann, and the free-scoring batsman will arrive at Headingley on Monday.

Jaques, 25 last Monday, made a sensational debut to county cricket last summer when he joined Northamptonshire and hammered out 1,409 first-class runs to win them promotion in the Championship.

He hit his maiden first-class century at Worcester when he scored an unbeaten 149 and Yorkshire were on the receiving end in his next match when he tore their attack apart at Wantage Road with a stunning 222.

Born in Sydney, Jaques has an English wife and holds a British passport but there were problems when Northants wanted to re-sign him this season as an England qualified player.

Because Jaques played for New South Wales last winter, the England and Wales Cricket Board said that this re-classified him as an overseas player and ruled that Northants could not sign him as they had already done deals with South Africans Martin van Jaarsveld and Johann Louw.

Northants considered challenging the ECB's registration regulations in court but eventually decided not to press the case.

David Byas, Yorkshire's director of cricket, said: "It is terrific that we have been able to sign such an outstanding batsman at such short notice and he will fit the bill while Lehmann is with Australia in Zimbabwe for about a month from next week.

"Phil will also be available if Lehmann has to leave us again for Australia's two home matches against Sri Lanka in July and the ICC Trophy over here in September.

"It means we have experience and stability on hand if we need it and it is good to know that he will be around."

Byas said that Jaques would net at Headingley on Monday and Tuesday and would be considered for selection for Yorkshire's Championship match against Hampshire which begins at Headingley on Wednesday.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, May 07, 2004