LONDON, April 8: South African batsman Dominic Telo has signed a two-year contract with Derbyshire, the English county announced on Tuesday.

And the Midlands side stressed it was Telo’s intention to use his time with the county to help him qualify for England.

Telo, 22, scored 648 runs in eight matches at an impressive average of 58.90 for Western Province in South African domestic cricket last season.

His haul included three hundreds and he also helped Western Province reach the final of the Provincial Three Day Challenge where he was unbeaten on 99 as his side lot by 42 runs.

Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris said: “Dominic is one of the brightest young batsmen in the South African game and we are naturally delighted to have tempted him to Derbyshire.

“It is important to note that Dominic has signed with the intention of qualifying so that he can eventually play as an English cricketer,” he added.—AFP