Northamptonshire sign pace bowler Guthrie

Liam Guthrie has taken eight wickets in two games for Queensland in the current Sheffield Shield competition

Northamptonshire have signed Australian left-arm paceman Liam Guthrie on a three-year contract.

The 27-year-old has a UK passport and will not therefore be classified as an overseas player.

Guthrie has taken 50 first-class wickets for Western Australia and Queensland, and played for Brisbane Heat in the T20 Big Bash competition.

"Competing in the UK has always been a goal of mine, and I am eager to embark on this new chapter," he said.

Northamptonshire start the new season on 4 April with a County Championship Division Two game against Kent and Guthrie will join the rest of the squad on their pre-season tour to South Africa.

"He brings left-arm swing, genuine pace and having worked with him at Brisbane Heat and Queensland, his attitude is excellent and he has real wicket-taking abilities," said Northamptonshire head coach Darren Lehmann.

"He'll fit right in with the group who I've thoroughly enjoyed working with so far."