Nathan Astle is going to spend his winter in Derbyshire next year when taking up a slot as the county's second overseas player.

Astle, the holder of the world record for the fastest Test double century, scored off 153 balls, during his innings of 222 off 168 balls in the first Test against England last summer, has played county cricket before, for Nottinghamshire, in the 1997 season. He played 10 matches that year scoring 644 runs at 40.25 and hit two of his 16 first-class centuries.

Astle will join the club after the completion of New Zealand's tour to Sri Lanka which ends on May 31.

Astle's signing with Derbyshire renews its contact with New Zealand players as John Wright, who is now coaching India, had a long connection with the club for whom he played all his county cricket.

With the possibility of Shane Bond signing with Warwickshire and Chris Cairns being fit to take up his contract with Nottinghamshire, it could be the greatest involvement of New Zealand players in county cricket since the mid-1980s with Richard Hadlee, Wright, Martin Crowe and Geoff Howarth were playing.

Astle started the New Zealand domestic season today with a game for Canterbury against Otago at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

Derbyshire chief executive John Smedley said of Astle's signing: "Although we shall not see Nathan for the whole season, all at the Club are thrilled that a player of his quality is available - he, like us, is looking forward to his time at the County Ground with great anticipation. Hopefully local cricket fans will share this, and come along and join as members and supporters for next season."

Captain Dominic Cork said: "As a quality international cricketer, Nathan will strengthen our existing squad to some tune - the thought of he and Michael Di Venuto batting together will give a lot of opposition bowlers a real headache!"

© CricInfo