Marcus Harris: Leicestershire sign Australia opener for 2021 season

Marcus Harris will rejoin Victoria before the start of their 2021-22 campaign

Leicestershire have signed Australia opener Marcus Harris for this summer's County Championship and One-Day Cup.

The left-hander, 28, takes the overseas spot left by all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, whose Foxes deal has been cancelled because of international commitments.

Harris, who has 10 Test caps, will play county cricket for the first time.

"Marcus has represented Australia at the highest level in the Test match arena," Foxes head coach Paul Nixon told the club website.

"He will also add a high-class option to our 50-over side, which fits the bill with Colin Ackermann winning selection for Manchester Originals in the Hundred."

Harris has scored 6,733 first-class runs at an average of 38.47, and will join Leicestershire once his Australian side Victoria finish their involvement in the Sheffield Shield.

"I am delighted to have signed for Leicestershire and cannot wait to get up and running within English domestic cricket," said Harris.

Meanwhile, South African Mulder, 23, originally signed for the Foxes in January but will no longer be moving to the Uptonsteel County Ground, with his recall to the Proteas' Test squad for recent series with Sri Lanka and Pakistan leading to a busier than expected international schedule.

"It is a huge shame that Wiaan won't be joining us," said Nixon.

"But we understand the need for flexibility in the current situation and wish him all the best for the coming months."

The new Championship season is scheduled to start on 8 April, when Leicestershire have a Group 2 home game against Hampshire.