DURHAM have signed Australian pace bowler Peter Siddle as a replacement for the injured Scott Boland.

Boland’s spell as a Durham player lasted for just one game after he sustained a foot injury in the draw with Warwickshire.

The Australian Test seamer did not feature in last weekend’s win over Worcestershire, with a scan having revealed significant injury damage.

As a result, Boland will return to Australia for a lengthy period of recovery and rehabilitation, ruling him out of being able to play again for Durham before his contract for the first half of the season was due to expire.

Durham have moved quickly to secure a replacement, with Siddle having been signed up for the next six County Championship matches.

The experienced 39-year-old will be available to make his Durham debut in the four-day match with Essex that begins at Seat Unique Riverside on Friday.

Siddle, who has claimed 222 wickets for Australia from 67 Tests, has played in all formats for the national side, making 89 international appearances since his debut in 2008.

He was an integral member of the Australian Test pace attack between 2008 and 2016, claiming a memorable hat-trick during the 2010-11 Ashes series.

Since his first-class debut in 2005, Siddle has also been a prominent member of the Victoria side, with his figures including a career-best haul of 8-54 against South Australia.

He boasts extensive experience of English conditions as he has been a regular on the English county circuit, with spells at Essex, Nottinghamshire, Lancashire and most recently Somerset.

In total, he has taken 755 first-class wickets throughout his career, and his most recent full spell in England saw him impress at Taunton, claiming 27 first-class wickets at an average of 23.92 with a best of 6-51 against Surrey.

He also impressed with the white ball during his most recent spell at Somerset, taking 17 Vitality Blast wickets at an average of 17.88 with a best of 3-10.

Durham’s director of cricket, Marcus North, said: “It was important we acted quickly to replace Scott Boland and we have done that with the addition of Peter Siddle for the County Championship.

“It is very disappointing to lose Scott after just one game and we wish him all the best in his recovery.

“We look forward to welcoming Pete to Durham and watching him play a key part in our success on the field in the coming weeks.”

Durham have made a strong start to the County Championship season, following up draws against Hampshire and Warwickshire with an emphatic three-day win over Worcestershire at Kidderminster.