Yorkshire have added significant firepower to their attack next season by signing paceman Jason Gillespie, who ranks fifth in the list of Australia's leading Test wicket-takers of all time.

Although Gillespie was dropped by Australia during the Ashes series last summer because of poor form, he has vowed to win back his place - and at 30 he should be around his peak.

Gillespie and South African Deon Kruis should prove a lethal opening combination for Yorkshire, and with the ever-improving Tim Bresnan in support, plus occasional appearances from Matthew Hoggard, few counties will be better equipped.

Announcing the signing of Gillespie on a one-year contract, Director of Cricket, David Byas, said he thought the Australian was a terrific acquisition. "I think we can now put the fear of God up a few batsmen," he added.

Gillespie plays for South Australia, who are captained by Yorkshire's other overseas star, Darren Lehmann, and Byas acknowledged that Lehmann had played a part in bringing Gillespie to Yorkshire, who have beaten off approaches from other counties for his signature.

The shaggy-haired and bearded Gillespie was axed by Australia after taking only three wickets for 300 runs in the first three Ashes Tests but overall he has been one of their most successful pace bowlers since making his debut in 1996-97.

In 69 Tests he has captured 251 wickets at 26.61 runs apiece, which places him 26th in the world list of leading Test wicket-takers. The only Australians to have claimed more wickets are Shane Warne (634), Glenn McGrath (525), Dennis Lillee (355) and Craig McDermott (291).

Gillespie has featured in 97 one-day internationals for Australia, picking up 142 wickets at 25.43, while in all first-class cricket he has played in 120 games and claimed 433 wickets at 25.31.

If Gillespie wins back his Test place this winter and is included in Australia's tour of Bangladesh in April he will join Yorkshire in the first week in May. But otherwise he should be available for the full season.

Speaking from Australia, Gillespie said: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to play for Yorkshire and I am looking forward to the challenge of county cricket and being part of a successful team."

This will be Gillespie's first taste of county cricket and now that Yorkshire have secured his services they must have improved their chances of being able to make a realistic bid for the Championship title.

"At the end of last season it was pretty clear that we needed to strengthen our fast bowling and by that time I had already earmarked Gillespie as a quality performer," said Byas.

"I have spoken to him several times on the telephone since then and he sounds a terrific bloke who just wants to play cricket and get on with it. He will be a splendid role model for the other players."

In a recent magazine feature, Gillespie said: "My goal is 300 Test wickets but first I'd like to get another over in Test cricket. I've never really had goals before, or ones that I'd made public. Getting 300 is realistic. It would take ten to 12 Tests and I think I can get through that. It's when, not if."

Byas also confirmed that Yorkshire have re-appointed Craig White as captain for a third season. "Craig is busting a gut to do it again and now that he has had a further operation on his knee is as keen as ever to bowl," said Byas.

White's bowling will be particularly useful in one-day cricket and he was the country's leading wicket-taker in the totesport League in the early part of last season until inflammation in his knee caused him to play solely as a batsman before he dropped himself altogether from the one-day side.

His absence had an unsettling effect on the team, who lost their last eight Sunday League games, but the players will be boosted by having him back in an all-round capacity.

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