Proteas batsman Ryan Rickelton has signed a short-term contract with Yorkshire.

The 26-year-old will be available for selection for the County Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road, starting on Monday, and an initial three-game spell in Division Two.

Rickelton, who has four Test caps, will bolster Yorkshire’s batting line-up with Shan Masood having been recalled by Pakistan for international duty.

“Ryan can bat anywhere in the top six, he’s a good player and can keep wicket as well,” said Darren Gough, managing director of cricket for Yorkshire County Cricket Club. “He will be coming to us as a batter and I’m really pleased with the signing.

“It’s getting harder and harder to get good overseas players – so to get someone of his calibre to come over and represent us for the next three matches is brilliant.

“We need him because we are losing Shan so we need to get the balance right between experience and youth. We have got very talented young players – but we need some experience behind them.

“As a club, we felt we needed a bit more experience. Ryan has played at the highest level – he is a very good cricketer – he’s gutsy and he is young and has lots of energy – he’s someone we need.”