Big-hitter Finch joins Tykes

Aaron Finch against England at Melbourne in January

Finch, 27, will join Yorkshire after his Indian Premier League commitments, which are due to end in May.

He could make his debut for Yorkshire Vikings against reigning T20 Champions Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the opening match of the NatWest T20 Blast competition at Headingley on Friday, May 16.

The Melbourne Renegades captain is rated as one of the top three T20 batsmen in the world and holds the record for the highest T20 international innings, 156 against England at Southampton last August. His knock included a record 14 sixes,

Finch said: “It is a great honour to be joining Yorkshire County Cricket Club this summer.

“This is one of the biggest cricket clubs in the world with a history and tradition second to none.

“I’ve heard so much about the place and can’t wait to join up with Jason Gillespie and the rest of the squad in May.

“When I heard Yorkshire was interested in signing me, I had no hesitation in signing.

“I had a good chat with Darren Lehmann (Australian coach and former Yorkshire player) and he recommended that I joined the club. He can’t speak highly enough of the place and Yorkshire’s loyal supporters.

“I hope to play in all formats whilst I’m at the club and even though the T20 season will be very exciting, I’m looking forward to testing myself in red ball cricket too.

“It is important for my cricket development to play in English conditions and to help Yorkshire be a force in all forms of the game will be a good challenge for me.”

Finch has experience of the area having had a year playing for Clifton Alliance in the York Senior League a few years ago.

Yorkshire’s Martyn Moxon said: “Aaron is one of the finest attacking batsmen in the game today and it’s a real pleasure to have secured his signature.

“There are not many players in the world that can fill stadiums, but we believe that Aaron is certainly one of those box office stars. The Yorkshire public are in for a treat.

“To have two world-class performers available in Aaron and New Zealand international Kane Williamson, alongside our high-performing local players, should be a mouth-watering prospect once the NatWest T20 Blast season gets underway in May.”

Tickets for Yorkshire’s seven home matches in the NatWest T20 Blast go on sale today from 10am.