DURHAM have signed New Zealander Nathan Astle, scorer of the fastest double century in Test history, to replace skipper Mike Hussey when he teams up with the Australian one-day squad in mid-season.

They are hoping the big-hitting Kiwi can light up their challenge for the Twenty20 Cup, which features eight matches this season between June 26 and July 6.

Astle, 33, is still in the New Zealand side and played in the recent home series win against Sri Lanka, but he has never come close to reproducing his astonishing innings against England on his home ground at Christchurch in March, 2002.

On a pitch which got flatter as the game progressed, Graham Thorpe scored 200 not out off 231 balls in England's second innings and when they declared on 468 for six New Zealand needed 550 to win.

When an injured Chris Cairns walked out to join Astle they were 333 for nine, but Astle thrashed Andrew Caddick for five sixes in seven balls as he raced from 101 to 200 in 39 balls.

He reached his double century off 153 deliveries, smashing Adam Gilchrist's record by 59 balls. He had hit 11 sixes when he was finally out for 222.

Despite the experience of 71 Tests, in which he has scored 4,235 runs at an average of 37.81, Astle has always been considered too laid-back for captaincy, so it is unlikely he will take the reins at Durham.

With vice-captain Paul Collingwood also likely to be on one-day international duty from early June to July 12, Durham will choose between ex-skipper Jon Lewis, Gareth Breese and Dale Benkenstein.

Hussey will miss championship games at home to Essex and Lancashire plus the visit to his old county, Northamptonshire, plus two totesport games and the Twenty20 Cup.

Coach Martyn Moxon said: "It will be great to have someone of Nathan's ability, especially during the Twenty20 Cup.

"It is disappointing to lose Mike at a key stage of the season, but we have been able to bring in a world-class replacement.

"We have taken care to make sure we got someone with great experience to keep the balance of youth and senior players at its optimum level."