Northants look to Love and Rofe for cover

Northants have signed two Australians for the remainder of the county season - even though they won't be playing at the same time.

Martin Love, who has played five Tests for Australia and played for Durham in the past three seasons, will arrive at Wantage Road later this month. He will replace Martin van Jaarsveld, who is to tour Sri Lanka with South Africa in August.

Love will stay until the middle of August, from when Paul Rofe, the fast-bowler from South Australia, will take his place. Rofe, 23, has played for Australia Under-19s and took 36 wickets at 27.47 in 10 Pura Cup matches last season.

"The thinking behind this is quite simple really," said Kepler Wessels, the Northants coach. "We have five Championship matches after Martin Love leaves, we need to get some wins and to do that we have to take 20 wickets. Paul had a good season with the ball in Australian domestic cricket and so he comes with a useful pedigree."

Northants were promoted to Division One of the County Championship last season, but are yet to win this season.