Yorkshire sign Finch and Maxwell

Yorkshire have recruited the services of the dangerous Australian duo Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell for the 2015 season.

Finch joins the White Rose for a second successive season after spending part of last year with the current County Champions and is expected to play in all formats for Yorkshire after he has fulfilled his IPL duties.

The big-hitting opening-batsman played in just five County Championship matches for Yorkshire last season before New Zealander Kane Williamson replaced him as their overseas player.

Maxwell will play for the Vikings alongside countryman Finch in the Natwest t20 Blast, boosting Yorkshire’s hopes of achieving a maiden t20 trophy. Maxwell has had previous spells in English cricket with Hampshire as a t20 specialist and he played at least one game across all three formats for them last season.

Renowned for his ability in the shortest format of the game, Finch gave some eye-catching performances in the Natwest t20 Blast, but a return of 256 runs in 10 matches was an underwhelming effort by the Australian.

Finch smashed 88 runs in 55 balls against Lancashire Lightning in last year’s t20 campaign, but his highest score of 89 in 46 deliveries against Nottinghamshire Outlaws was unable to secure the Vikings a place in the quarter-finals.

Maxwell was also guilty of underachieving in last year’s Natwest t20 Blast, accumulating a meager 127 runs from 11 matches. However, his recent run for the Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash and return to the International set-up suggests a return to form which Yorkshire will look to benefit from.

Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie said: "As a club we're absolutely thrilled to bits to be able to secure the services of two very exciting players in world cricket.

"I spoke to Glenn a little while ago and just enquired as to whether he would be interested in representing Yorkshire and outlined how well he could fit into the dressing room and the role we wanted him to play.

"Aaron is a great leader, he has a lot of leadership and captaincy experience and having a player like that in the dressing room gives the younger players the opportunity to learn off him."

The County Champions start their defence against Worcestershire at New Road on April 12 after they have played an MCC XI in Abu Dhabi on March 22.